Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rahi said Thursday that President Joseph Aoun’s April 17 address marked a turning point, describing it as a speech that “restores dignity” and aligns with the spirit of the president's inaugural speech. 

Speaking after a meeting with Aoun at the Baabda Palace, al-Rahi stressed that humanitarian corridors for residents remaining in southern Lebanese villages are both a right and an international obligation, underscoring the need to ensure their protection amid ongoing tensions.

The patriarch also praised the leadership of the Lebanese army, saying its commander is acting with “wisdom, prudence and steadfastness,” and called on all sides to support the military institution.

Al-Rahi emphasized that the president represents all Lebanese and does not speak on behalf of a single community. 

“The president is the president of all Lebanon, not just the Maronites,” he said, reaffirming that Aoun’s role is to speak in the name of the entire nation.

In his April 17 address, Aoun had laid out a roadmap centered on restoring full State sovereignty, stressing that decisions of war and peace must rest exclusively with the Lebanese State. He underscored that Lebanon would pursue negotiations to end hostilities, secure an Israeli withdrawal from southern areas, and reassert state authority across all its territory. Aoun also made clear that Lebanon would not be drawn into broader regional bargaining tracks, insisting that the country would negotiate on its own behalf and in line with its national interests.

On negotiations, the patriarch rejected any concessions that would come at the expense of Lebanese rights, insisting that no such trade-offs should be made. He added that Lebanon seeks peace and that the negotiations are being conducted with full awareness and responsibility.