Lebanese President Joseph Aoun issued a statement condemning the attack that took place in the Australian city of Sydney.

President Aoun stressed that human values, foremost among them the right to life, are universal and unwavering principles that cannot be selectively applied or interpreted. He said that just as Lebanon condemns attacks against innocent civilians in Gaza, southern Lebanon, or anywhere else in the world, it is bound by the same principle and responsibility to condemn what occurred in Sydney.

He added that responsibility for such tragedies lies with systems that promote hatred, extremism, and the rejection of others, and that seek to impose religious, ethnic, or political exclusion through violence. Aoun also pointed to the broader context of injustice, oppression, and the absence of accountability in today’s world as factors that fuel such violence.

In closing, the president called on the international community to examine the roots and dimensions of these tragedies and to combat terrorism through a comprehensive approach that confronts not only its perpetrators, but also its ideology, narratives, and justifications. He said Lebanon has long been, and will continue to be, at the forefront of efforts to fight extremism while remaining a country committed to moderation, justice, and peaceful coexistence among all people.