“Let the judiciary go to the end in investigations and trials. I am with the judiciary and at its side, until justice is achieved, leaving it away from pressures exerted by any side”.
President Aoun: “When the head of the state puts himself at the disposal of the judiciary to listen to his testimony, there is no excuse for anyone to grant himself any immunity”.
President Aoun: “I abide by the constitution and respect the separation of authorities”.
President Aoun: “Late justice is no justice. The challenge before the judicial investigator and the judiciary is to reveal the truth, conduct a trial, and issue a just judgement in an acceptable period of time”.
President Aoun: “I pledge to the families of martyrs that the blood which was shed on that fateful day will not be in vain, and that the truth is coming, through which the just retribution for everyone responsible of this disaster”.
President Aoun: “Let this commemoration be a station in which we remember the martyrs, the injured and the displaced, away from any behavior which could be used to tamper with security and stability, offending the true meanings of this memory”.
President Aoun: “I will endeavor with the PM designate, in accordance with the requirements of the constitution, to overcome all obstacles in the way of forming a rescue government which is capable of implementing the reform program”.
President Aoun: “Together, with our cooperation and patience, and through putting the solution mechanisms on the right tracks, we are able to overcome the painful present and gradually rise from the current crisis”.
President Aoun addressing the Lebanese people: “Hold on to your unity and open-up a new page which will return Lebanon to the maps of innovation, growth and competition, giving its youth all the hope for a homeland”.
President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, asserted that he feels the pain of the families and friends who lost their loved ones in the Beirut Port blast. “I am one of those who lost a dearly one that day” the President said, calling on the judiciary to go the end in investigation and trials.
“I am by the judiciary’s side, until the facts are revealed and justice is achieved. When the head of the state puts himself at the disposal of the judiciary to hear his testimony, there is no excuse for anyone to grant himself any immunity, or to arm himself with any argument, legal or political, so as not to provide the investigation with all the required information to help reach the goal” President Aoun added.
President Aoun also assured that the challenge which the judicial investigator and the judiciary will later face, is to reveal the truth, conduct the trial and issue a fair judgement in an acceptable period of time, “Since delayed justice is no justice”.
“The judicial investigator may interrogate whoever he considers helpful in the investigation. It is appropriate to let the investigation take its course away from the pressures from whichever party came. I pledge to the families of the martyrs that the blood which was shed on that fateful day will not be in vain, and that the truth is coming” the President said.
Then, President Aoun called for the commemoration of tomorrow to be a station in which we remember the martyrs, the injured and the displaced, away from any behavior which could be exploited to tamper with security and stability, offending the meanings of this memory.
In addition, the President reiterated that he will seek, with the PM-Designate, “And in accordance with the requirements of the constitution, to overcome all obstacles in the way of forming a rescue government. A government which is capable of implementing the required and well-known reform program, with the expertise, competencies and integrity of its members”.
“We are together able with our cooperation and patience, and by putting the mechanisms of solution on the right track, by forming a promising government, and preparing for parliamentary elections which lay the seed of real change, helping to overcome the painful present and gradually rise from the crisis which is tearing our homeland and hearts” President Aoun continued.
Moreover, the President called on the Lebanese to adhere to their unity and open a new page which would return Lebanon on the track of innovation, growth and competition, restoring to its youth the hope of their homeland, the desire to remain in it, and return it to civilization, joy and creativity.
Stances of the President came through a speech on the first memorial of the Beirut Port explosion.
President Speech:
Address by His Excellency the President of the Lebanese Republic
General Michel Aoun to the nation
on the first anniversary of the Beirut Port blast
August 3, 2021
“My fellow Lebanese ladies and gentlemen,
On the eve of the painful anniversary of the Beirut port blast, I pay tribute to the soul of every martyr who fell in this tremendous tragedy, I sympathize with every wounded and injured, and with every person who has lost a dearly beloved or a relative, a house or a property, and I bow before the resilience of a nation, in front of which all misfortunes have gathered. From the bottom of my heart, I say to our beloved capital Beirut: the truth shall come out, and every culprit shall be duly punished and you shall rise again.
Last August 4, we were struck by an unprecedented earthquake in the history of Lebanon.
The face of Beirut was in flames, many hearts were shattered and many innocent lives were lost. They should never have fallen if it weren’t for an accumulation of negligence and responsibilities throughout the years, at various levels, of officials who could have taken practical measures to eliminate the danger of the substances that led to this disaster.
I feel the pain of the parents and friends who lost their loved ones in this blast and I am one of those who lost a dearly beloved on that day.
I feel their legitimate anger, their deep bitterness and their pain which will only be exacerbated by days if they do not sense, in words and deeds, and through practical measures, that accountability has begun and that trials are punishing those who were involved, deliberately or due to their negligence, in causing the blast.
I therefore say it loud and clear, for the open wounds of the Lebanese, and for the sake of History:
Yes for an impartial and bold investigation leading to fair trials.
Yes for a strong Judiciary that does not back off before any person with authority, no matter how high they rank, and does not fear immunities and protections, in order to serve justice and hold accountable those who caused this explosion.
The Judiciary must go all the way in investigation and trials. I am with it and by its side, till facts are unveiled and justice is served. When the head of the State puts himself at the disposal of justice to make his deposition, there is no excuse for anyone to grant themselves any immunity or arm themselves with any argument, be it legal or political, in order not to provide the investigation with all the required information to help it reach its goal.
How can we act differently while our martyrs are calling out on our conscience, and while all the world’s eyes are staring at us? The challenge that the judicial investigator – and later on the Judiciary - is facing is to unveil the truth, conduct the trials and render a fair judgment within a reasonable timeframe, because a late justice is no justice at all.
As I abide by the Constitution and respect the separation of powers, I see no reason that prevents the judicial investigator from interrogating anyone he deems useful for the probe, especially that a fair trial does not unjustly indict an innocent nor does it acquit a culprit. It is therefore appropriate to let the investigation take its course, without any strains from wherever they may come…
My pledge to the parents of the martyrs, on the eve of this painful anniversary, is that the blood that was shed on that fateful day will not go to waste, and that truth is coming, coupled with a fair retribution for every person as deserved. Let the commemoration tomorrow be a milestone to remember the martyrs, the injured and the displaced, serenely, responsibly and wisely, away from any act that could be misused to jeopardize security and stability and undermine the meanings of this tragic anniversary.
My fellow Lebanese ladies and gentlemen,
I know that you have long waited for a new government. Today, with the designation of a new Prime Minister, we have a chance to form it. How I wish to have the formation decrees issued as soon as possible! But I give you my word that I am striving, hand in hand with the Prime Minister-designate, according to the requirements of the Constitution, to overcome all the obstacles that hamper the formation of a salvation government which is capable, with the expertise, competence and integrity of its members, to implement the required and known reform program.
My dearly beloved,
You all feel – and I do too – that the economic and financial collapse of the past two years, with all its repercussions on livelihood, subsistence, social setting, psychological health and security, threatens of the collapse of the Lebanese State with all its components, institutions, role and existence.
The explosion of the 4th of August has sharpened this feeling and added to its bitterness and painfulness.
Today, I stand before you as siblings, children, friends and families, and as long-standing and resilient people, to affirm to you that a new dawn puts an end to sufferings, and that, together, thanks to our cooperation and patience, and by placing the solution mechanisms on the right track, by forming a promising government and preparing for parliamentary elections that sow the seeds of true change, we are capable of overcoming the painful present, and rising gradually from the crisis that has torn apart our nation, our hearts and our lives.
Yes, we are capable of rising… Hope was never the synonym of illusion, when it is associated with awareness, diligence, solidarity and resolve.
Let us hold on to our unity and open a new page that re-places Lebanon on the map of innovation, growth and competition, and restores to our youth their hope in their nation and the desire to stay in it, making it again the country of civilization, joy and creation.
Long live Lebanon!”.