Former Minister Jihad Azour affirmed that his candidacy for the presidency is a call for unity, breaking down divisions, and seeking common ground to overcome the crisis. He stated: "I am here on a simple yet significant mission, which is to exit as quickly as possible from the anomalous situation we find ourselves in and to lay the foundation for a prosperous future, where Lebanon becomes a source of brilliance and leadership due to the capabilities of its citizens and youth in science and culture."
Azour pointed out in a statement that he does not wish for his candidacy to represent the bare minimum of positions and projects among the different political forces, but rather to embrace the maximum aspirations of Lebanese men and women for a homeland we all deserve—free, independent, and prosperous. A country where we can regain the brilliance of the Lebanese experience that is threatened with extinction, in all its meanings, images, institutions, and titles of success.
He expressed: "Jihad Azour is not a challenge to anyone. I am not a descendant of a prominent political family, with full respect for this component of our political fabric. Nor am I a product of a political party, with full respect for all Lebanese parties without exception. I am not the champion of a sect against another. I am a product of this Lebanese experience that allowed my family, during its flourishing era, to invest in my education, and its traditions that prioritize academic pursuit enabled me to make the choices I have made. My diverse cultural heritage has provided me with the necessary attributes for openness and convergence."
He believed that "the only challenge we all face is the challenge of restoring this experience, with all the necessary reforms, so that future generations can enjoy the same conditions I benefited from, rather than ending up with desperate generations forced to migrate to Western and Eastern countries, amid one of the most perilous waves of migration in modern Lebanese history." Emphasizing that "my candidacy is a call for unity, breaking down divisions, and seeking common ground to emerge from the crisis and utilize all the expertise, imagination, and willpower we all possess to return to the path of progress."
He noted that "the colossal economic challenges we face and the severe social turmoil we are experiencing are not merely abstract concepts or mere statistics and figures. They are bitter daily experiences that the Lebanese endure, united by exhaustion, anxiety, and fear of the future. They are stories of daily struggle to meet the minimum requirements of human dignity. Faced with this reality, there is no choice but to set aside that which divides us, to rise above narrow affiliations and considerations, and unite towards a single common goal: rescuing our country. The Lebanese, who have offered testimonies of sweat and blood, especially the youth, deserve their leaders to work towards strengthening the unity of the country with a comprehensive rescue project that transcends sects and divides."
Azour added: "It is true that Lebanon's problems are not easy to solve, but they are manageable. Throughout my human and professional experience, I have learned that complex problems do not resolve themselves and do not disappear through neglect or wishes. At the same time, I have witnessed the tremendous capacity for recovery and growth when the right strategies and genuine willingness for change, grounded in collaborative work, are in place."
He pointed out that "I have read, heard, and followed much discourse regarding some people's fears of impending isolation projects. Fellow Lebanese, do you not see that while we are preoccupied with speeches of division and fear among one another, our entire country has become isolated from all paths of reconciliation, rapprochement, and modernization happening in the region? We are all isolated together from the world, and we are all concerned with breaking our country's isolation as much as possible."
He stressed that "I want my candidacy to be an inspiration for hope, not a reason for fear, and a contribution to the solution rather than an element that adds to the crisis and deadlock. I belong to a school of dialogue and convergence, a family that adopted dialogue as an approach, and believes in a diverse, unified Lebanon as a doctrine, and sees sacrifice for the revival of Lebanon as an honor. I extend my hand to include dialogue with all components and political forces partners in the homeland based on convergence to achieve the national consensus Lebanon needs now more than ever."
He continued: "I am here on a simple yet significant mission, which is to leave the anomalous situation we are in as quickly as possible and to lay the foundation for a prosperous future where Lebanon once again becomes a source of brilliance and leadership due to the capabilities of its citizens and youth in science and culture. We have a rich history of resilience, innovation, and tolerance, and this is what we must invest in to shape our future together. The spirit of Lebanon and its pulse are its people, who have expressed on every occasion their desire for cohesion, unity, and joy in our shared Lebanese identity that transcends any regional, religious, or political affiliation."
Azour emphasized that "translating this ambition into reality requires a set of prerequisites, foremost of which is complete independence from any external interventions, protecting the land and full sovereignty, restoring the state and its institutions, adhering to the constitution, and fortifying the national accord document through the full application of all its provisions, as it represents the finest common ground and the true foundation for living together. Moreover, I will work in cooperation with all to reconnect what has been severed with our Arab surroundings and with other countries of the world. I am committed to leading this change, but I cannot do it alone. I need every Lebanese, man and woman, to be part of this adventure, so we can work hand in hand to restore Lebanon's glory and secure a prosperous future for all of us. If fate allows, I will strive to be a bridge to the future, reconciliation, and a guarantee of a shared life built on trust, cooperation, and openness."
