Lebanese President reaffirms that withdrawal of occupation, reconstruction, and return of displaced persons are national constants beyond dispute
Beirut, September 12 (KUNA) -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun affirmed on Saturday that the withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces, the return of prisoners and displaced persons, and the reconstruction of the south constitute national constants that the state is committed to implementing, forming a “unifying goal with no disagreement.”
The Lebanese Presidency said in a statement that President Aoun’s remarks came during an inspection visit to the city of Nabatieh and the town of Zoutar al-Gharbi (Western Zoutar) in southern Lebanon, accompanied by Army Commander Lieutenant General Rodolphe Haykal and heads of security agencies.
The statement clarified that President Aoun emphasized during his visit that the state, through all its institutions, stands alongside the people of the south to secure the foundations of their resilience and meet their basic needs. He stressed the right of the people of the south to live in safety, rebuild their homes, and cultivate their land “with dignity, far from the risks of destruction and continuous wars that have persisted for decades,” considering the south to be “at the heart of the state and all Lebanese.”
Aoun expressed his hope that the “wound of the south would heal completely” and that its people would enjoy lasting security and stability, thereby solidifying the foundations for their return and dignified lives.
The statement noted that the Lebanese president, accompanied by the visiting delegation, inspected the site where 13 members of the State Security forces were killed in a previous attack by Israeli occupation forces, honoring the memory of their sacrifices. He also inspected the Regional Financial Affairs Office and the Agriculture Office in Nabatieh, both of which suffered severe damage following recent Israeli occupation attacks.
Furthermore, President Aoun took a walking tour in the Nabatieh market, where he met with several citizens and residents, listened to their demands and needs, and reaffirmed the provision of developmental and security services “to strengthen their steadfastness on their land.”
The statement pointed out that President Aoun then moved to the destroyed Government Building (Saraya) in Nabatieh, which was damaged by Israeli occupation airstrikes. President Aoun also visited the President Nabih Berri Government Hospital, where he met with the hospital administration, medical, nursing, and ambulance staff, praising their role in continuing to provide medical and humanitarian services under shelling and difficult conditions. He also inspected several wounded patients and patients.
The statement added that President Aoun continued his tour with a visit to the town of Zoutar al-Gharbi, where he inspected Lebanese Army units deployed there and visited the Our Lady of the Annunciation Monastery Church, observing from there the deployment sites of Israeli occupation forces in the neighboring town of Zoutar al-Sharqi (Eastern Zoutar).
The statement quoted Lebanese Army Commander Lieutenant General Rodolphe Haykal as affirming during the tour that the army “has not left the city of Nabatieh or any Lebanese town inhabited by citizens, and that military units are always present and look forward to taking up positions in other towns as soon as they are liberated.”
(End) F.Z. / M.M.J.
