He emphasized: "Peace is not achieved by insisting on absolute conditions but by letting go of them. Today, we insist with you on absolute peace, rejecting any conditions for it except justice and good."

Aoun added: "Eight years ago, you said about us: 'How many times have the Lebanese been forced to endure violent conflicts that were not theirs, and bear their burdens?' Today, I tell you on behalf of all Lebanese: we can no longer bear anyone’s conflicts, nor anyone’s burdens. We want only the well-being of our people and our families, the prosperity of our country, and the future of our children. Finally, you told the world, my friend of Lebanon, that 'this country has much to say and teach the world.' I thank you again for every word you spoke then, as well as for your visit and your words today. I say to you: Lebanon also has much to learn from Germany. Allow me to mention three fundamental historical lessons:

First, we learn from Germany and its modern history that even the most united nations can fall victim to division when occupied. True unity can only be achieved through complete independence and the sovereignty of the state over its entire territory. Just as unity of power is essential for state unity, liberating all territory is essential for national independence.

Second, we learn from your history that the worst destruction and the most terrible consequences of war can be overcome by a free, united national will, rebuilding what has been destroyed. Wars destroyed Germany, but the German people’s will rebuilt it—a country of culture, prosperity, and innovation—under exceptional conditions and within a record timeframe.

Third, we finally learn from your profound experiences that foreign tutelage and the pursuit of others’ interests at the expense of any people always aim to erect walls of separation, isolation, discrimination, division, and oppression among a nation’s own people. This is the path of domination and a tool for control."

Meeting of the Lebanese and German Presidents. (Nabil Ismail)

Aoun continued: "But your history has taught us how the awareness of your people—of the authenticity of their identity, the depth of their history, and the reality of their highest interests and common good—kept carving through the wall of oppression for decades, until it finally fell one bright morning in your great history."

He added: "Mr. President, my friend of Lebanon, I hope you will continue to tell the world about us, our people, and our country. Our promise to you and to the world is to learn from our experiences and yours, to put Lebanon’s interests first, for the well-being of its people and the peace of its region. This means freeing ourselves from all occupation or external control through the strength of our Lebanese armed forces alone, rebuilding everything that has been destroyed through our will, resources, and the support of our friends, and tearing down all the walls of hatred erected by successive occupations and foreign guardianships over our people, for the freedom of our country and the prosperity of our people."

For his part, the German president called on Lebanon and Israel to respect the ceasefire agreement, saying that the withdrawal of Israeli soldiers from southern Lebanon and the disarmament of Hezbollah must be carried out diligently.

He said that the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah is an opportunity to achieve stability in Lebanon, adding: "The permanent Israeli occupation of Lebanese territory is unacceptable."

He continued: "I look forward to the talks and visits I will have in your wonderful country, and we reaffirm Germany’s support for Lebanon in the field of development."