President Joseph Aoun said Lebanon is pursuing an independent track in ongoing negotiations and will not allow any party to negotiate on its behalf, while stressing that the country remains committed to a ceasefire and welcomes support from any nation, including Iran, provided there is no interference in Lebanon's internal affairs.

"The assurances we have received, and what we continue to insist on, are that Lebanon is following an independent course in the negotiations," Aoun said. "We are certainly in favor of a ceasefire and welcome assistance from any country, including Iran. The only thing that is unacceptable is interference in Lebanon's internal affairs."

The president emphasized that negotiations are being conducted exclusively by the Lebanese State, describing it as the sole authority responsible for the country's decisions.

"The Lebanese State is carrying out the negotiations, and no one is taking its place. This has become a point of consensus for everyone," he said. "The Lebanese State is sovereign in its decision-making. For the first time, it is the State itself that is negotiating, and no one is negotiating on its behalf."

Aoun sought to reassure the Lebanese public, saying that any future agreement would be reached solely through Lebanon and in its interests.

"I want to reassure the Lebanese people that no one is tying us to any other country, and any settlement will be achieved through us, not at our expense," he said. "That is the course we will follow. Our objective is clear, regardless of the obstacles, and we will take our country to a better place."

The remarks came during a meeting at Baabda Palace with a delegation of Maronite bishops from the diaspora, including bishops from the United States, Brazil, Canada, Argentina, Australia, Africa, Europe, Colombia and Mexico.

Drawing on his experience as former commander of the Lebanese Army, Aoun said decades of conflict had convinced him that war produces nothing but destruction.

"From my experience leading the army and now serving in this position—which is a responsibility, not a privilege—I have learned that war leads to no outcome other than devastation and destruction," he said.

He acknowledged that negotiations and peace efforts can be lengthy, but argued that they are far preferable to the human and economic costs of conflict.

"The road to peace and negotiations may seem long, but isn't it better for that road to be long and spare Lebanon and its people further losses than to take a short path whose cost is as devastating as war?" he asked.

Aoun said Lebanon now has an opportunity to break with its past.

"We made this choice because the Lebanese people are exhausted from an endless cycle of wars, and the suffering they have endured has become immense," he said.

The president noted that Lebanon has continued to pay the price for conflicts fought on its territory since 1969.

"Since 1969, Lebanon has been paying the price for other people's wars on its soil," he said. "I ask whether there was ever any need for the war that took place, only for us to return to a ceasefire after thousands of people were killed and wounded among a population of just four million, and after billions of dollars in destruction."

"We wanted a ceasefire yesterday, before today. There was no need for this war in the first place."

Aoun stressed that Lebanon must learn from its history to avoid repeating it.

"We must not forget the past, so that we do not repeat it in the future," he said.

The president reiterated his belief that strong state institutions are the only guarantee of protection for all Lebanese, regardless of sect or political affiliation.

"As I always say, only the state protects everyone—not sects and not political parties," he said. "We are not opposed to political parties playing their democratic role in helping build the state. What we reject is political parties running the state to serve their own interests."

According to Aoun, citizens across all communities are increasingly eager to see the restoration of state institutions, including the security, administrative and judicial sectors.

"Lebanese people, regardless of their sects or affiliations, are more eager than ever to restore the role of the state through its security, administrative and judicial institutions," he said. "This aspiration is also shared by Lebanese living abroad."

He called for a collective effort to rebuild Lebanon's institutions once and for all.

"This is a shared responsibility for all of us. We must work together as one hand to build our state permanently."

Addressing concerns about internal stability, Aoun dismissed fears that Lebanon could slide into domestic conflict.

"There is no reason to fear for civil peace, and the Lebanese should not be intimidated by such talk," he said.

He argued that those who invoke the threat of internal strife are attempting to preserve their own relevance.

"Those who threaten civil peace have become weak. They seek to frighten those who disagree with them in order to remain relevant."

Aoun said Lebanese society has developed a broad awareness of the devastating consequences of conflict and has no desire to relive the experience of the 1975 civil war.

"There is a growing awareness among Lebanese of all backgrounds, and no one wants to return to the tragedies of 1975 and everything that followed," he said.

He added that most political leaders also understand the importance of preserving stability.

"For us, civil peace is a red line."

Looking ahead, Aoun said the next phase will focus on rebuilding state institutions and reconstructing areas damaged during the latest conflict.

"The coming period is dedicated to rebuilding the state in all of its institutions, in addition to reconstructing what was destroyed by a war that was imposed on us," he said.

"The state is not responsible for this war, but it is responsible toward its people for reconstruction and recovery."

The president also expressed optimism about Lebanon's future, citing a new generation committed to rebuilding the country.

"There is great hope for Lebanon," he said. "We have an opportunity because there is a generation that is aware, engaged and believes in Lebanon."

Aoun praised the Lebanese diaspora, describing its members as respected and influential contributors across the world.

"The Lebanese are present in most countries around the globe. They are respected, active and influential, and that is a source of pride," he said.

"Just as they contributed to the development of many countries, they are certainly capable of helping rebuild their own homeland."

Questioning Lebanon's past choices, Aoun asked why the country had repeatedly become entangled in regional conflicts.

"Why did we reach this point? Why did we bring other people's wars upon ourselves?" he asked. "Was it not for the interests of others, and for factional and personal interests, rather than Lebanon's national interest? We hope to close that chapter once and for all."

The president revealed that another round of negotiations is scheduled for next week and expressed hope for progress, particularly in light of what he described as significant interest from the U.S. administration in Lebanon.

"There will be a new round of negotiations next week, and we hope it will be more positive, especially given the considerable attention the U.S. administration is paying to Lebanon," he said.

Aoun also criticized what he described as Lebanese voices abroad that seek to undermine the country and its institutions.

"Unfortunately, there are Lebanese abroad who poison the atmosphere and incite against Lebanon," he said.

Questioning calls by some expatriates to cut aid to the Lebanese Armed Forces, Aoun strongly defended the military's role.

"How does it help Lebanon to call for cutting assistance to the Lebanese Army?" he asked. "If you love Lebanon, you cannot help but love its army. And if you do not love its army, then there is no honor in that."