The President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, announced, during his meeting with five French representatives from the Eastern Christians Study Group: that Lebanon is a message of freedom and pluralism in the region and the world, and it cannot live without its Christian and Muslim wings. He stressed that Christians in Lebanon are keen to preserve Christian-Islamic coexistence, and through their practices they confirm the importance of the role they play in the countries of the East and West, stressing that there is no threat to the Christian presence in Lebanon, and what happened in a number of neighboring countries cannot be repeated there, as Christians constitute a unique model with their Muslim brothers. Aoun pointed out that Islamic-Christian coexistence in Lebanon is not just a political formula imposed by circumstances, but rather a national and civilizational choice and a human experience that has proven that diversity can be a source of strength, and that difference does not contradict unity, but rather enriches and strengthens it, and this coexistence is based on full partnership in building the state, preserving its institutions, and determining the future of the nation. He considered that Lebanon's true strength lies in its ability to protect and develop this model, and to consolidate confidence among its people away from the logic of dominance and exclusion, in a way that ensures respect for the privacy of each component within the framework of one just and strong state. He stressed that the experiences that Lebanon and the region went through have proven that internal divisions only produce weakness, and that exploiting religion and doctrine to achieve political goals or justify violence does not threaten a specific group, but rather threatens entire societies. He stressed that protecting coexistence in Lebanon is not only a Lebanese responsibility, but rather a responsibility related to the future of the region, because the success of the Islamic-Christian partnership experience enhances the chances of moderation and provides practical evidence of the possibility of building societies that respect pluralism and protect human dignity and rights. Regarding the security file, Aoun stressed Lebanon’s adherence to the UNIFIL forces remaining in the south, or to replacing them with European forces, which would be the nucleus of forces from friendly countries that wish to help Lebanon and contribute to achieving security and stability in the south. He stressed that there are no safe and sustainable solutions through war, but rather through diplomatic negotiation, because wars cannot achieve any practical result, but rather destroy and displace. He pointed out that the state is watching over the safety of the people of the southern border villages who are steadfast in their homes and possessions, and is working with humanitarian organizations, UNIFIL, and the Lebanese army to secure all the health, educational, and nutritional components of steadfastness for them, until the end of the Israeli occupation.