Aoun refers the 2027 budget bill to the Parliament and considers Southerners' insistence on their land the most eloquent response to Israeli aggression

Beirut – Mansour Shaaban

President of the Republic General Joseph Aoun, during a meeting at Baabda Palace with a delegation from the Deir Mimas municipality led by its president Tania Barnaby, highly praised “the steadfastness of Southerners in their land,” viewing it as “the strongest response to all attempts at displacement, intimidation, and attacks carried out by Israel.” He reassured them that the state “will remain by the side of the people of the South, both those standing firm and those forcibly displaced from their villages and towns, until the Israeli occupation or siege is lifted from every southern village.” He emphasized that “the people of the South, especially those standing firm in their villages, are the guardians of the land, and the state is your support; it will protect you and will not abandon any inch of your land.”

The President listened to the delegation’s explanation of their situation, with members requesting the establishment of a clear mechanism for coordination with relevant authorities to obtain approvals for access to their lands, support for them, and inclusion of their residents in a compensation program for damages and losses suffered by homes, properties, and livelihoods, as well as assistance for families that have lost part of their income source.

Aoun discussed with Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh the measures aimed at combating illicit funds and terrorist financing, as well as the outcomes of his recent meetings in France and his visit to Abu Dhabi. He was also briefed by the Director General of State Security, Major General Edgar Laoundes, on the results of his participation in the Baku Security Forum in Azerbaijan and the outcomes of his visits to Russia and Belarus.

For his part, Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri, at the Second Presidency headquarters in Ain al-Tineh, reviewed with the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jean Arnault, the field developments in the South and the UN’s work programs in Lebanon.

In the context of his presidential activities, Aoun signed three decrees, according to presidential pages on social media:

* The first, Decree No. 3986, amends the family allowances stipulated in the compensation and assistance system.

* The second, Decree No. 3987, refers the draft law on the General Budget for 2027 to the Parliament.

* The third, Decree No. 3988, refers to Parliament a draft law aimed at opening an additional appropriation in the General Budget for 2026 worth 1,450.8 billion Lebanese pounds to support public passenger transport drivers for three months.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam, accompanied by Minister of Interior and Municipalities Ahmad Hajjar and security leaders, spent the afternoon of yesterday in Nabatieh inspecting the Gendarmerie station and laying the cornerstone for the General Security center there. He held a large meeting in which he stated, “I am here today to confirm the return of state institutions to their work.” He added, “I want you to know that your priorities will remain our priorities: stopping Israeli attacks, the complete withdrawal of Israel from our lands, the safe and dignified return of people to their homes, the restoration of their livelihoods, and the return of life to the cities, towns, and villages of the South.”

To the south, the Israeli army continued carrying out massive explosions in Mansouriya, Majdal Zoun, and Aitroun, the tremors of which were felt by residents of Sidon and its surroundings.