President Aoun's Bold Steps Open Path to State Restoration, Confidence Starts with Depositors

President Joseph Aoun received MP Ibrahim Kanaan at the Baabda Presidential Palace. Following their meeting, Kanaan stated, "I was honored to meet with His Excellency after his return from Washington. His positions there preceded his arrival, reaffirming the national constants upon which Lebanon is founded: its sovereignty, state, army, and its diverse society encompassing all sects and factions. I came today to support the steps taken by the President, which events in the region and Lebanon have proven to be a sound and courageous choice capable of saving Lebanon."

Kanaan continued, "We all observe the ongoing war in Iran and the Gulf and recognize the fragility of agreements from Islamabad and elsewhere. Meanwhile, Lebanon is advancing along a clear path led by the official Lebanese government, with backing from the international community and the American President. This presents an opportunity to halt the war, reclaim territory, and rebuild villages and towns in the south and across all regions, from Beirut to the Bekaa. It is also a chance to restore the state and strengthen the Lebanese army."

He added, "Our message amid these changes is to protect one another by safeguarding our state and to unite in order to guide this initiative to safety, to end suffering, destruction, and the desecration of Lebanon. At this historic moment, everyone must understand their duties and responsibilities toward Lebanon and its legitimacy."

"As we stated yesterday during the beatification ceremony of Patriarch Elias Hoyek, our message from the start has been that of a free, independent, and pluralistic Lebanon—Lebanon with its full area of 10,452 square kilometers, without losing a single meter. This is the Lebanon we want: a state that preserves its sources of strength. Everyone is invited to join this historic opportunity that our country and society need more than ever," Kanaan emphasized.

He further explained, "His Excellency briefed me on the deliberations of the Finance and Budget Committee regarding financial reform laws. We have a session tomorrow to finalize the banking reform law. I also updated the President on the positive atmosphere prevailing in the discussions. Together, we laid the foundations for the next phase to restore confidence in Lebanon, including a roadmap to regain trust in our economy and banking sector. This process begins primarily with the confidence of Lebanese depositors and investors, both Lebanese and foreign, who do not want to see their funds lost every decade."

Kanaan stressed, "The central point is legislating rights, not serving any particular interest. This is what we seek in the deposit recovery law under discussion by the committee formed by the government. Rights come first and last, and this is a firm position held by both myself and His Excellency. This file has been delayed for six years because some were not convinced of the priority of depositors' rights. The deposit recovery law is fundamental, and confidence returns first through the people and Lebanese depositors, then it is reinforced by external confidence, not the other way around."