Here’s a breakdown of the inauguration speech by Lebanon’s newly elected President, Joseph Aoun:

Introduction

    1. Crisis Diagnosis: Lebanon faces a governance and leadership crisis that requires:
• Securing borders
• Economic reforms
• Social welfare planning
• Redefining democracy
• Balancing majority rule with minority rights
• Improving international relations
• Tackling unemployment, poverty, and environmental challenges

Commitment

    2. On Freedoms: Individual and collective freedoms are sacred to Lebanon’s identity.

    3. On Justice:
• No to mafias, money laundering, or drug trade.
• No interference in judiciary or police.
• No immunity for the corrupt, criminals or offenders.
• Judicial independence is a priority.
• Justice is our fortress.

    4. On Governance: The President and Prime Minister are partners, not rivals.

    5. Key Principles:
• Competence over favoritism.
• Transparency over corruption.
• Unity over sectarianism.
• Progress over past conflicts.

    6. On Security & Defense:
• State authority over all arms.
• Army investment for border protection, counter-smuggling and uphold international resolutions.
• Prevent Israeli assaults and respect the 1949 Armistice.
• Sovereignty-driven defense strategy.
• The Lebanese state will lead efforts to end Israeli occupation and deter its aggression—“I repeat, the Lebanese state.”

    7. On Sovereignty: Lebanon’s sovereignty and independence are non-negotiable.

    8. On the People:
• Unity is our shield, diversity our strength.
• Martyrs inspire our determination, and prisoners are a trust upon our shoulders.
• We invest in Lebanon’s foreign relations, not in foreign interference.

    9. On Palestinian Refugees: Reject permanent settlement; reaffirm the two-state solution outlined in the 2002 Beirut Arab Summit.

    10. On Lebanese-Syrian Relations:
• Respect sovereignty and independence.
• Resolve the issue of missing Lebanese.
• Address the Syrian refugee crisis and its existential impact on Lebanon.

    11. On Lebanese-Arab Relations:
• Lebanon is Arab by affiliation and identity.
• Strengthen relations with Arab nations and strategic partnerships.
• Prevent conspiracies against their sovereignty, while exporting Lebanon’s finest products.
• Attract Arab tourists, students, and investors.

    12. On the Economy:
• Commitment to a free-market economy with transparency.
• Banks governed solely by law, with no secrets but professional confidentiality.

    13. On Depositors’ Funds: No leniency in protecting depositors’ funds.

    14. On Decentralization: Adopt the law for expanded administrative decentralization.

    15. On Foreign Policy:
• Positive neutrality for stability.
• Forge alliances and activate Lebanon’s foreign relations.

    16. On the Diaspora: Strengthen diaspora ties, ensure voting rights, and encourage their return.

Conclusion

    17. Failure has no place in Lebanon’s vocabulary.
“This is the era of respecting the Constitution, building the state, and enforcing the law. This is Lebanon’s era.”