Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Friday that the army and State security forces were the only authorities responsible for protecting citizens.

Aoun made the remarks during a meeting with a delegation from Deir Mimas, a predominantly Christian town south of the Litani River, reaffirming the state’s commitment to residents facing Israeli attacks and displacement.

He said the determination of people in the south to remain on their land represented the strongest response to attempts to drive them from their homes and intimidate them. Aoun pledged continued state support for residents who had remained in their villages as well as those forced to flee.

Aoun expressed solidarity with those affected by Israeli attacks and said the State would provide protection and assistance wherever security conditions allowed.

“The Lebanese army and legitimate security forces will be the sole authorities responsible for citizens’ security,” Aoun said, describing the State’s responsibility toward residents of the south as a non-negotiable national priority.

He said political, diplomatic and negotiating efforts were continuing to stop Israeli attacks, secure a complete Israeli withdrawal from occupied territory and deploy the Lebanese army along the internationally recognized southern border.