President says Lebanon faces ‘fateful choice’ over state authority
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said the country faces a “fateful choice” between building a state that holds a monopoly on weapons and operates under the rule of law or remaining “hostage to the logic of militias”.
“We are at a moment that cannot tolerate sectarian luxury or regional polarisation,” Aoun said, adding that “national unity is an existential necessity that is built through openness, strengthened by justice, and rooted in fairness.”
Free Patriotic Movement leader Gebran Bassil said Hezbollah had made “mistakes” since the 2006 war with Israel but argued that such errors did not justify supporting Israel.
Israel was responsible for waging war on Lebanon and damaging its economy and social fabric, Bassil, who is the son-in-law of former President Michel Aoun and whose party represents the Maronite Christian community said, while stressing that criticism of Hezbollah should not obscure realities on the ground.
His remarks came as political divisions in Lebanon deepened following Aoun’s decision to hold direct talks with Israel, while the Israeli military issued forcible displacement warnings to residents of 20 villages and towns in southern Lebanon.
Mourners carry coffins of six Abdallah family members during funeral procession in Wardanieh, Lebanon, 3 June 2026 (Marwan Naamani/ZUMA Press Wire)
