Aoun Tells Pope: Tell the World Lebanon Will Not Surrender

L Beirut, during a meeting with ‌Pope Leo XIV, leader of⁤ the global‌ Catholic community, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun declared ‍his firm commitment to stay in Lebanon, affirming their right to their homeland.

Addressing the ⁤Pope, Aoun said: “On our behalf, tell ‌the world that we will not die⁣ or surrender and that‌ we are the sole point of convergence across our region-and⁤ nearly worldwide.”

He added ‍that Lebanon’s ​continued existence in its current form is essential for ‌peace, hope, and reconciliation. “If Christians fall in Lebanon,” he warned, “the nation’s balance will collapse. And if Muslims fall hear, both justice and national equilibrium will​ be disrupted.”

The president also emphasized to the ⁢Pope:​ “Our ⁢faith is immense and our hope lies in healing souls from hatred, war, and ​destruction.”