NNA - President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, considered that "Saint Charbel represents a major national and humanitarian value that unites all Lebanese across religious sects and affiliations."
"Saint Charbel is a figure who transcends sectarian divides, attracting visitors from all communities and backgrounds," he said, emphasizing that people are drawn to him not because of power or wealth, but because of his deep faith and the power of love, "humanity's strongest weapon."
"The most important message uniting the Lebanese people today is kindness and a strong belief in the Lebanese national cause," Aoun asserted.
The President's words came during a visit to the "Beirut Media Zone" complex in Metn region, where he patronized the inauguration ceremony of Gethsemane Church, inspired by the Mount of Olives, which coincided with the launch of a film produced by MTV in collaboration with NMPRO on the life of Saint Charbel.
President Aoun hoped that this value would spread among all Lebanese, urging them to maintain strong faith in Lebanon as their national cause, and stressing that "no cause can succeed without faith."
"We must all be willing to make sacrifices for Lebanon, rather than sacrifice Lebanon for the sake of others, whoever they may be," Aoun maintained.
The event was attended by a crowd of official, political, security, civil society, media and artistic figures, led by First Lady Nehmat Aoun and MTV Board Chairman Michel El Murr, including Ministers of Information Paul Morcos, Justice Adel Nassar, Interior and Municipalities Ahmad Al-Hajjar, Telecommunications Charles Hajj, Tourism Laura El-Khazen, Environment Tamara El Zein, Industry Joe Issa El-Khoury, and Public Health Rakan Nassereddine.
Also attending were: Deputy House Speaker Elias Bou Saab and MPs Ghada Ayoub, Alain Aoun, Melhem Riachi, Ibrahim Kanaan, Michel Moawad, Nadim Gemayel, Neemat Frem, Nicolas Sehnaoui and Raji El Saad; former ministers May Chidiac and Mohammad Choucair; Lebanese Army Commander General Rodolph Haykal; US Ambassador Michel Issa; French Ambassador Hervé Magro, among many other prominent figures.
