Aoun Reaffirms Lebanon’s Commitment to Peace, Sovereignty, and Reform
1/20/2026 12:20:00 PM
President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, addressed members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited in Lebanon during the traditional New Year’s greetings ceremony held at the Presidential Palace in Baabda on January 20, 2026, thanking diplomats and representatives of international organizations for their continued support and engagement with Lebanon.
In his address, President Aoun said:
"Your Excellency, the Apostolic Nuncio, Monsignor Paolo Borgia, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps,
Your Excellencies, esteemed representatives of the international missions and international organizations accredited to Lebanon,
It is a distinguished and meaningful tradition, one which reflects the very essence of international relations and their humanitarian objectives, that we meet at the beginning of each year to exchange wishes for better days, for our people and the world. This occasion allows us to reaffirm our collective belonging to a single interconnected global community in which what affects one part, inevitably affects all the others.
In keeping with this humanitarian foundation of politics and diplomacy, I wish to extend my sincere gratitude to Your Excellencies, your countries, your governments, and your peoples for your presence here today, not as a mere protocol event, but as a recognition by the International community of Lebanon as a country, a state, a message, a role and a necessity for its region and the world.
And as I particularly extend my deep appreciation to the Apostolic Nuncio for his kind words spoken on behalf of all the members of the Diplomatic Corps, I reiterate through his Excellency, my deepest gratitude, and that of the Lebanese people, to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV for his exceptional visit to Lebanon, which was a window to the sky, blessing us with three days of love, faith and hope.
Coincidentally, our meeting here today adds yet another significance to this occasion. It falls at the end of my first year in office, and I would like to share with you some of its highlights, with its hidden trials and challenges.
Your Excellencies, one year and ten days ago, I assumed the leadership of a weary state. I say this, while I have no intention of speaking in vague notions such as a ‘heavy legacy’ or ‘successive crises’. Nor am I one who turns away from duty, or throws blame on an absent party, or fate, or the unknown.
Still, in all objectivity, I came to office into a state heavily burdened with twenty years of political void…."
The President continued his address by detailing the political vacuum Lebanon endured over the past two decades, the wars and internal unrest it faced, and the priorities he set upon assuming office, including sovereignty and security, rebuilding state institutions, economic and financial reforms, and respect for constitutional democratic deadlines.
He outlined major decisions taken by the government regarding the exclusivity of arms in the hands of the state, reaffirmed the Lebanese Army’s operational control south of the Litani River, and stressed Lebanon’s commitment to the November 27, 2024 cessation of hostilities agreement.
President Aoun also highlighted preparations for the international conference to support the Lebanese Army and Internal Security Forces, the issuance of 2,240 decrees to rebuild state institutions, progress on judicial independence and financial reforms, economic recovery indicators, successful tourism and cultural seasons, municipal elections, and the government’s determination to hold legislative elections.
On foreign policy, the President underlined Lebanon’s return to Arab and international legitimacy through official visits and international engagement, culminating in the visit of Pope Leo XIV, whose words, he said, "gave yet another dimension to the Lebanese cause."
The President concluded by reiterating Lebanon’s vocation as a country of peace founded on justice and rights, expressing confidence in completing the reform path, and extending his best wishes for the year ahead.
Following the President’s address, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Apostolic Nuncio Monsignor Paolo Borgia, delivered his speech on behalf of the diplomatic missions accredited in Lebanon.
In his address, Monsignor Borgia said:
"Your Excellency, Mr. President of the Republic,
On behalf of the Diplomatic Corps accredited in Lebanon, I have the honor of extending my best wishes and respectful and cordial greetings to you on the occasion of the traditional ceremony for the exchange of New Year greetings.
I have the pleasure and honor of conveying to you the best wishes of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, who cherishes in his heart the unforgettable memory of his historic visit to the Land of Cedars, as well as those of the Heads of State, Authorities, and Peoples whom we, gathered here, have the privilege of representing in this beloved Country."
Monsignor Borgia recalled the long period that had elapsed since the last such gathering, the end of President Michel Aoun’s mandate, the war with Israel, the presidential vacuum, and the importance of respecting constitutional deadlines.
He welcomed President Aoun’s election and the formation of a new government, noting the renewed hope it inspired among the Lebanese people, and encouraged continued cooperation among political and institutional actors for the country’s recovery.
A central theme of the address was peace, which Monsignor Borgia described as more than the absence of war, stressing its moral, spiritual, and human dimensions, and warning against the global rise of conflicts, militarization, and the weakening of multilateralism.
Quoting Pope Leo XIV and Saint Augustine, he emphasized the need for an "unarmed" and "disarming" peace rooted in dialogue, justice, reconciliation, and education, and highlighted the role of diplomacy, international law, religions, culture, and the media in fostering peace.
He described Lebanon as a unique model of coexistence and pluralism, affirming that Christians, Muslims, Druze, and others can live together in mutual respect, and reiterated that Lebanon’s vocation is peace.
Monsignor Borgia concluded by assuring Lebanon of the Diplomatic Corps’ support, extending best wishes to President Aoun, his family, and the Lebanese people, and saying:
"May God bless Lebanon, may God bless our Nations, may God bless our friendship."
In his address, President Aoun said:
"Your Excellency, the Apostolic Nuncio, Monsignor Paolo Borgia, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps,
Your Excellencies, esteemed representatives of the international missions and international organizations accredited to Lebanon,
It is a distinguished and meaningful tradition, one which reflects the very essence of international relations and their humanitarian objectives, that we meet at the beginning of each year to exchange wishes for better days, for our people and the world. This occasion allows us to reaffirm our collective belonging to a single interconnected global community in which what affects one part, inevitably affects all the others.
In keeping with this humanitarian foundation of politics and diplomacy, I wish to extend my sincere gratitude to Your Excellencies, your countries, your governments, and your peoples for your presence here today, not as a mere protocol event, but as a recognition by the International community of Lebanon as a country, a state, a message, a role and a necessity for its region and the world.
And as I particularly extend my deep appreciation to the Apostolic Nuncio for his kind words spoken on behalf of all the members of the Diplomatic Corps, I reiterate through his Excellency, my deepest gratitude, and that of the Lebanese people, to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV for his exceptional visit to Lebanon, which was a window to the sky, blessing us with three days of love, faith and hope.
Coincidentally, our meeting here today adds yet another significance to this occasion. It falls at the end of my first year in office, and I would like to share with you some of its highlights, with its hidden trials and challenges.
Your Excellencies, one year and ten days ago, I assumed the leadership of a weary state. I say this, while I have no intention of speaking in vague notions such as a ‘heavy legacy’ or ‘successive crises’. Nor am I one who turns away from duty, or throws blame on an absent party, or fate, or the unknown.
Still, in all objectivity, I came to office into a state heavily burdened with twenty years of political void…."
The President continued his address by detailing the political vacuum Lebanon endured over the past two decades, the wars and internal unrest it faced, and the priorities he set upon assuming office, including sovereignty and security, rebuilding state institutions, economic and financial reforms, and respect for constitutional democratic deadlines.
He outlined major decisions taken by the government regarding the exclusivity of arms in the hands of the state, reaffirmed the Lebanese Army’s operational control south of the Litani River, and stressed Lebanon’s commitment to the November 27, 2024 cessation of hostilities agreement.
President Aoun also highlighted preparations for the international conference to support the Lebanese Army and Internal Security Forces, the issuance of 2,240 decrees to rebuild state institutions, progress on judicial independence and financial reforms, economic recovery indicators, successful tourism and cultural seasons, municipal elections, and the government’s determination to hold legislative elections.
On foreign policy, the President underlined Lebanon’s return to Arab and international legitimacy through official visits and international engagement, culminating in the visit of Pope Leo XIV, whose words, he said, "gave yet another dimension to the Lebanese cause."
The President concluded by reiterating Lebanon’s vocation as a country of peace founded on justice and rights, expressing confidence in completing the reform path, and extending his best wishes for the year ahead.
Following the President’s address, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Apostolic Nuncio Monsignor Paolo Borgia, delivered his speech on behalf of the diplomatic missions accredited in Lebanon.
In his address, Monsignor Borgia said:
"Your Excellency, Mr. President of the Republic,
On behalf of the Diplomatic Corps accredited in Lebanon, I have the honor of extending my best wishes and respectful and cordial greetings to you on the occasion of the traditional ceremony for the exchange of New Year greetings.
I have the pleasure and honor of conveying to you the best wishes of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, who cherishes in his heart the unforgettable memory of his historic visit to the Land of Cedars, as well as those of the Heads of State, Authorities, and Peoples whom we, gathered here, have the privilege of representing in this beloved Country."
Monsignor Borgia recalled the long period that had elapsed since the last such gathering, the end of President Michel Aoun’s mandate, the war with Israel, the presidential vacuum, and the importance of respecting constitutional deadlines.
He welcomed President Aoun’s election and the formation of a new government, noting the renewed hope it inspired among the Lebanese people, and encouraged continued cooperation among political and institutional actors for the country’s recovery.
A central theme of the address was peace, which Monsignor Borgia described as more than the absence of war, stressing its moral, spiritual, and human dimensions, and warning against the global rise of conflicts, militarization, and the weakening of multilateralism.
Quoting Pope Leo XIV and Saint Augustine, he emphasized the need for an "unarmed" and "disarming" peace rooted in dialogue, justice, reconciliation, and education, and highlighted the role of diplomacy, international law, religions, culture, and the media in fostering peace.
He described Lebanon as a unique model of coexistence and pluralism, affirming that Christians, Muslims, Druze, and others can live together in mutual respect, and reiterated that Lebanon’s vocation is peace.
Monsignor Borgia concluded by assuring Lebanon of the Diplomatic Corps’ support, extending best wishes to President Aoun, his family, and the Lebanese people, and saying:
"May God bless Lebanon, may God bless our Nations, may God bless our friendship."