Aoun Urges Support for Lebanese Red Cross, Follows Up on Southern Developments
On the occasion of World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, President of the Republic Joseph Aoun called on all Lebanese, both at home and abroad, to support the Lebanese Red Cross, which launched its 2025 fundraising campaign on Wednesday from Baabda Palace under the slogan “With your support, we carry on.”
In a heartfelt message marking May 8, President Aoun highlighted the vital role of the Lebanese Red Cross as “a safety net and a safe haven for citizens in their darkest and most difficult moments.”
The President paid tribute to volunteers and workers across the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement, stating: “This day offers an opportunity to express our deep gratitude to all those who serve with dedication and courage, embodying the highest values of humanity and solidarity, as envisioned by the movement’s founder, Henry Dunant.”
Aoun further reaffirmed the Lebanese state’s unwavering support for the Red Cross and praised its neutrality and professionalism throughout Lebanon’s crises, emphasizing the importance of upholding humanitarian principles in an increasingly turbulent world.
On the security front, President Aoun followed up on the latest Israeli airstrikes targeting the Nabatieh area in southern Lebanon, receiving field reports from Army Commander General Rodolphe Haikal on the affected locations and the aftermath of the bombardment.
On another level, President Aoun also met with MP Melhem Riachy from the “Strong Republic” bloc, who congratulated him on the successful completion of the first phase of municipal and mukhtar elections in Mount Lebanon. Riachy expressed continued confidence in the president’s efforts to safeguard Lebanese sovereignty.
Separately, the President welcomed MP Jamil Abboud, with whom he discussed the general situation in the country and the developmental needs of the North, particularly Tripoli. Abboud urged the president to visit Tripoli and help revive long-stalled development projects.
The discussion also touched on economic reform, with Abboud emphasizing the alignment of the government’s early reform steps with President Aoun’s inaugural speech and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s ministerial statement. He also stressed Parliament’s role in passing critical financial legislation.
