Beirut: Maronite Patriarch, Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, on Thursday voiced support for President Joseph Aoun, describing his April 17 speech as pivotal and aligned with restoring national dignity. Rahi stressed that negotiations are a necessity, not a concession, and the only path to end decades of conflict while preserving sovereignty.

According to National Nws Aency - Lebanon, the Maronite Patriarch also rejected sectarian approaches, affirming a unified national stance, and underscored the role of the Lebanese Army. Moreover, Rahi called for humanitarian aid access to all regions concluding: "Enough wars, priority is protecting Lebanon and securing a stable future."