Watch: "Army Knows Its Job, and What Do I Get from Your War?”, Says Aoun
4/5/2026 11:02:05 AM
President Joseph Aoun, from the Patriarchal See in Bkerke, affirmed that “for years we have been waiting for the resurrection of Lebanon, and amid destruction and displacement, our priority is preserving civil peace, which is a red line. Whoever tries to harm it is doing a service for Israel.”
Aoun stated, “I tell those who harbor an excess of dreams and illusions that the era of ’75 is over, circumstances have changed, and some media outlets play a destructive role. We support freedom of expression, but only if it is exercised responsibly,” adding, “A thousand enemies outside the homeland are better than one enemy within it, and no one wants strife because the Lebanese are tired of wars,” while sending greetings “to our resilient people in the South, especially in the border towns. I tell them we will do everything possible to secure the essentials of life for you, and we have not forgotten you.”
He pointed out that “some said about the negotiations, ‘What do we get from diplomacy?’ And I say, ‘What do I get from your war?’ Negotiation is not a concession, and diplomacy is not surrender. Our contacts continue to stop the killing, destruction, and suffering,” expressing regret “to those who attack the army and security forces. I tell them: ‘What have you done for the army? The army acts according to the national interest and knows its job, and if it weren’t for the army, we wouldn’t be in Bkerke today.’”
Aoun confirmed that “the relationship with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri is excellent, and he wished me a happy Easter. The relationship is also excellent with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, we are doing our duty, and we have not received any response regarding the negotiations.”
Regarding the move against the Iranian ambassador, he said, “I met with the Iranian president and foreign minister more than once, and their discussions focused on non-interference in the affairs of others. And ‘the Iranian ambassador’ is not officially an ambassador; he has not presented his credentials and is at the embassy without a formal title or role.”
Aoun stated, “I tell those who harbor an excess of dreams and illusions that the era of ’75 is over, circumstances have changed, and some media outlets play a destructive role. We support freedom of expression, but only if it is exercised responsibly,” adding, “A thousand enemies outside the homeland are better than one enemy within it, and no one wants strife because the Lebanese are tired of wars,” while sending greetings “to our resilient people in the South, especially in the border towns. I tell them we will do everything possible to secure the essentials of life for you, and we have not forgotten you.”
He pointed out that “some said about the negotiations, ‘What do we get from diplomacy?’ And I say, ‘What do I get from your war?’ Negotiation is not a concession, and diplomacy is not surrender. Our contacts continue to stop the killing, destruction, and suffering,” expressing regret “to those who attack the army and security forces. I tell them: ‘What have you done for the army? The army acts according to the national interest and knows its job, and if it weren’t for the army, we wouldn’t be in Bkerke today.’”
Aoun confirmed that “the relationship with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri is excellent, and he wished me a happy Easter. The relationship is also excellent with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, we are doing our duty, and we have not received any response regarding the negotiations.”
Regarding the move against the Iranian ambassador, he said, “I met with the Iranian president and foreign minister more than once, and their discussions focused on non-interference in the affairs of others. And ‘the Iranian ambassador’ is not officially an ambassador; he has not presented his credentials and is at the embassy without a formal title or role.”