Beirut: Lebanese President General Joseph Aoun emphasized on Tuesday the sensitive and critical phase his country is going through, stressing the need for national awareness and unified positions to safeguard Lebanon’s unity-both its land and its people-and to protect its sovereignty and independence.

According to Qatar News Agency, Aoun noted that Lebanon faced even more difficult circumstances in the past, but managed to overcome them thanks to the unity of its people around the state and its constitutional and security institutions.

He also highlighted ongoing diplomatic efforts to address the repercussions of developments in several regional countries, aiming to shield Lebanon from their impact. Aoun reiterated his appreciation for the stances taken by Lebanon’s political and religious leaders regarding the recent ‘regrettable’ events in Syria.

Neighboring countries expressed concern over the potential spillover of the unrest in Syria’s Sweida province, warning that such developments could threaten regional peace and security. They also voiced their firm rejection of any plans to divide Syria or transform it into a federal state.