**Sydney, April 30, 2026** – The Maronite Catholic Society in Australia is closely following the current national developments and reaffirms its support for the positions expressed by His Excellency the President of the Lebanese Republic, General Joseph Aoun. This support notably includes calls to strengthen legitimacy and ensure that arms are held exclusively by constitutional institutions, which are considered the foundation upon which a strong, sovereign state can be built—one capable of protecting its people and safeguarding its institutions.
The Association believes that the core principles of defending Lebanon’s sovereignty, as well as the freedom and dignity of its citizens, form the essential pillars for the state that Lebanese people aspire to create. This mission is deeply rooted in the historical message carried by the Maronite Church since the inception of the Lebanese entity, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the constitution and relying on state institutions as the sole reference ensuring the unity of all Lebanese.
In this context, the Association supports the national call made by the President, which rejects dragging Lebanon into wars unwanted by its people and warns against subservience to any external project that threatens the unity of the state and the integrity of its institutions. The President has underscored that national loyalty cannot be fragmented and that the Lebanese flag serves as the unifying banner for all citizens of the nation. He has urged anyone prioritizing non-Lebanese interests over those of the state to reassess their position and allegiance. The Association views these messages, characterized by clarity and responsibility, as a reaffirmation that the state is the only authority capable of preserving civil peace and protecting Lebanon from collapse and disintegration.
Tony Jabbour, the President of the MCS in Australia, stated, “The Association, in harmony with the positions of the Maronite Archbishop of Australia, New Zealand, and Oceania, His Excellency Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay, believes that the critical phase Lebanon is undergoing requires the highest levels of national responsibility and collaboration among all political and spiritual components. Such unity is essential for maintaining internal stability and restoring trust between the Lebanese and their state.” He emphasized that “the safeguarding of legitimacy is not a fleeting circumstance but a continuous journey reflecting the will of the Lebanese, both at home and in the diaspora, toward the establishment of a just, sovereign, independent state able to assert its authority over its entire territory.”
Jabbour further conveyed the Lebanese people’s aspirations for a state that restores its natural role in safeguarding its citizens and expressed the Association’s support for any initiative led by the President across various issues, viewing such initiatives as vital contributions and pathways to protect Lebanon from divisions and enhance its stability.
The Maronite Catholic Society in Australia reiterates its steadfast commitment to supporting all efforts that strengthen the state and fortify its institutions. It affirms that its mission, deeply rooted in faith and belonging, will always remain devoted to serving Lebanon as a free, independent, and sovereign state capable of protecting its citizens and ensuring a dignified life for them, while also upholding its unique message in the East and the world.
