President Joseph Aoun on Tuesday reaffirmed his commitment to national sovereignty and stability, stressing that Lebanon must be shielded from reckless ventures that have already cost the country dearly.

“We respect the ceasefire agreement of November 27, 2024,” Aoun told the diplomatic corps in his New Year address. “Out of concern for Lebanon’s interests, and to prevent the country from being drawn into suicidal ventures we have already paid a heavy price for, we proudly reaffirm this commitment.”

The president highlighted key achievements in his first year in office, particularly in consolidating state authority in southern Lebanon.

“Not a single shot was fired from Lebanon during my first year in office, except for two isolated incidents in March, and the authorities acted swiftly to arrest those responsible,” he said. “For more than ten months, the Lebanese Army and security forces have maintained full control south of the Litani River, clearing extensive areas of illegal weapons of all kinds and affiliations.”

Aoun said these measures were carried out in accordance with the ceasefire agreement, which he described as “an international accord we honor for the sake of Lebanon, and to prevent the country from being dragged into suicidal adventures.”

“Our land will return entirely under the sole authority of the state, our prisoners will be freed, everything destroyed by attacks and reckless ventures will be rebuilt, and southern Lebanon, like all our borders, will be placed exclusively under the responsibility of our armed forces,” he stated.

“We must put an end, once and for all, to any attempt to drag Lebanon into conflicts that are not our own, while others negotiate for their national interests,” Aoun added.

On rebuilding state institutions, he highlighted administrative reforms and the restoration of governance.

“In less than a year, 2,240 decrees have been issued, reconstituting most state administrations and key sectors, including the military, security, diplomacy, judiciary, finance, and public administration,” he said. “This process will continue this year, based on competence and integrity, and by encouraging Lebanese talent to return to public service.”

Reforms were another central focus, as Aoun noted progress on long-awaited judicial independence legislation, the creation of regulatory authorities for previously neglected sectors, and financial and banking reforms aimed at addressing the 2019 economic collapse.

“These reforms coincided with steady economic improvement,” he said. “International institutions report that Lebanon recorded one of the region’s highest growth rates in 2025, with national output rising and financial inflows returning to near pre-2008 levels.”

The president also emphasized democratic processes, noting that municipal and local elections were held for the first time in nine years.

“Parliamentary elections will follow mid-year, despite contrary rhetoric and campaigns,” he said.

On the international front, Aoun said Lebanon had reasserted its position regionally and globally.

“My goal has been to restore Lebanon to its rightful place within Arab legitimacy and international law,” he said. “We’ve pursued this through ten visits to Arab countries, four to European partners, and participation in three international forums—Arab, Islamic, and UN.”

“Lebanon is a country destined for peace,” he said. “Its geography, its people, its nature, and its identity do not define a nation of war or recklessness. We are a country that values peace, but we do not accept submission. Lasting peace is rooted in justice, and justice means protecting rights. The foremost human right is the right to a free, secure, and dignified life; that’s what we seek for Lebanon, from the south to all our borders.”

“Much still lies ahead, but I am confident, resolute, and determined that we will continue this path, complete it, and achieve its goals for all our people and all our land, without losing a single life or a single inch,” the president concluded.