President of the Federal Republic of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier said after meeting President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, "We will remain by Lebanon’s side after the end of UNIFIL’s mission," adding, "We support the Lebanese Army and want to rebuild everything that has been destroyed with the support of friends."
Steinmeier stressed the importance of reforms and restoring and strengthening the confidence of citizens as well as international partners, noting that Germany has been one of Lebanon’s major supporters in development and development cooperation and will always stand by Lebanon.
Moreover, the German President stated that his visit aimed to call on Hezbollah and Israel to adhere to the ceasefire agreement, emphasizing that Hezbollah’s disarmament must proceed in parallel with the withdrawal of Israeli soldiers from southern Lebanon.
During the meeting, President Joseph Aoun welcomed Steinmeier and his accompanying delegation back to Beirut, recalling that eight years ago he became the first German president in nearly 120 years to visit Lebanon. Aoun cited Steinmeier’s past remarks describing Beirut as "a place where dialogue can succeed" and praising the Lebanese for transforming painful experiences into a principle of coexistence and mutual recognition.
Aoun said Lebanon can no longer bear the burden of others’ conflicts and seeks only the prosperity of its people and the revival of its state. Drawing lessons from Germany’s history, he stressed that unity requires full sovereignty, that reconstruction is possible through unified national will, and that foreign tutelage breeds division. He affirmed Lebanon’s commitment to liberation from any occupation or guardianship, rebuilding what has been destroyed with its own capabilities and the support of friends, and consolidating peace and state authority.
Quoting Goethe, Aoun concluded: "To think is easy. To act is harder. But the hardest of all is to act in accordance with one’s thinking," adding that this is the path Lebanon is pursuing today with Germany’s support.
Separately, President Aoun met with Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi and Director of Political Affairs Ambassador Ibrahim Assaf to review a number of issues being handled by the ministry.
Steinmeier stressed the importance of reforms and restoring and strengthening the confidence of citizens as well as international partners, noting that Germany has been one of Lebanon’s major supporters in development and development cooperation and will always stand by Lebanon.
Moreover, the German President stated that his visit aimed to call on Hezbollah and Israel to adhere to the ceasefire agreement, emphasizing that Hezbollah’s disarmament must proceed in parallel with the withdrawal of Israeli soldiers from southern Lebanon.
During the meeting, President Joseph Aoun welcomed Steinmeier and his accompanying delegation back to Beirut, recalling that eight years ago he became the first German president in nearly 120 years to visit Lebanon. Aoun cited Steinmeier’s past remarks describing Beirut as "a place where dialogue can succeed" and praising the Lebanese for transforming painful experiences into a principle of coexistence and mutual recognition.
Aoun said Lebanon can no longer bear the burden of others’ conflicts and seeks only the prosperity of its people and the revival of its state. Drawing lessons from Germany’s history, he stressed that unity requires full sovereignty, that reconstruction is possible through unified national will, and that foreign tutelage breeds division. He affirmed Lebanon’s commitment to liberation from any occupation or guardianship, rebuilding what has been destroyed with its own capabilities and the support of friends, and consolidating peace and state authority.
Quoting Goethe, Aoun concluded: "To think is easy. To act is harder. But the hardest of all is to act in accordance with one’s thinking," adding that this is the path Lebanon is pursuing today with Germany’s support.
Separately, President Aoun met with Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi and Director of Political Affairs Ambassador Ibrahim Assaf to review a number of issues being handled by the ministry.
