Lebanese President  Joseph  Aoun said on Thursday that the threat of war in Lebanon has been removed and expressed optimism about the country’s positive trajectory.

Speaking after a meeting with Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, Aoun said: “I extend my greetings to all Lebanese, and God willing, next year we will witness the birth of a new Lebanon and a state of accountability… a state of institutions, not of parties and sects.”

He added that “there is a bleeding wound in the south” and hoped that the birth of a new Lebanon would end conflicts and bring peace. Aoun emphasized: “President Nabih Berri, President Nawaf Salam, and I are determined to hold elections on time, which is a constitutional requirement.”