Aoun at “Paris Peace Forum”: Lebanon resembles hope, it is an eternal flame which can tremble, but whatever happens it will remain alive

President of the Republic asserted that “Lebanon resembles hope, as it is a flame which never extinguishes. It can waver or tremble, no matter what happens, it will remain alive”, calling on all peace-lovers in the world to “Preserve hope together… Then the light must flood again”.

President Aoun also stressed that “In some places, we notice the disintegration of social ties, as some societies tend to close themselves to the extent of rejecting the other. We, in Lebanon, are still clinging to the hope of attachment to human values, and working to defend these values. Our answer is titled “The Human Academy for Meeting and Dialogue”, which we launched with the support of the United Nations. We wanted it to be a space for openness to the other, and a mirror for plurality and diversity”.

Stances of the President came during a speech he delivered today at the “Paris Peace Forum”, which was held in its third annual session in the French Capital, Paris.

President Aoun participated in the forum through remote communication due to the spread of Corona virus. Several Presidents and Prime Ministers as well as international personalities, participated to discuss the foundations of peace and to study effective frameworks and initiatives in order to establish multi-faceted common aspirations which contribute to consolidating dialogue between various aspects of managing international life.

Speech of the President:

President Aoun began his speech by saying “The world is passing through a health crisis which calls respect for those who struggle to limit its effects, and it also requires the adoption of precautionary measures and procedures. Until a vaccine is discovered against Corona pandemic, numerous individual and collective measures remain a duty in the interest of the international community”.

“We are also witnessing an economic imbalance at the international level, which forces us at the same time, to undertake reforms aimed at adapting to the system of financial globalization, and to take whatever actions necessary in order to demonstrate the values of our power elements, at various levels” President Aoun continued.

“Hence, it is necessary to respond to the requirements and necessities of transparency in managing all what is related to public affairs. Let us get out of the logic based on the income only, encouraging future careers, so we invest in our capable youth in order to develop sustainable energies in the digital world, especially in the sectors of education, culture and arts. It is imperative that priority be given to all forms of local production, especially those which are characterized by health and solidarity” the President added.

Then, the President indicated that “We notice, in some areas of human interaction, the disintegration of social ties, as some societies tend to close in on themselves, to the point of rejecting the other. In Lebanon, we are still clinging to the hope of attachment to human values, and working to defend these values. Our answer bears the title:

“The Human Academy for Meeting and Dialogue”, which we launched with the support of the United Nations, and we wanted it to be a space of openness and meeting with the other, as we wanted it to be a mirror of our diversity and pluralism. I am confident that with the dynamism which characterizes our society and the enthusiasm and support of the Lebanese residing abroad, the academy will constitute a shining station for Lebanon, and for the spirit of freedom and the peaceful character which Lebanon is characterized by”.

The President concluded saying “Beloved friends of peace, Lebanon is like hope, as it is a flame which never goes out. It may stagger or tremble, but whatever happens, it will remain alive. Let us preserve hope together… Then the light must flow again”.



NNA