President-elect’s first message 15 october 1998

                 Citizens of Lebanon,
                 Today parliament, represented by all of its members, bestowed on me its invaluable
                 trust when it elected me as president of the Lebanese Republic. I appreciate this trust,
                 made on behalf of you all, and I’m aware of its weight and the enormity of the
                 responsibility that I’ve been asked to shoulder.
                 On this day, you’re stands are united in supporting me, and I’m aware of your great
                 expectations. These are expectations that focus on changes towards betterment on the
                 political, administrative, economic, social and other levels that are important to each
                 and everyone of you; expectations that reinforce your confidence in your country, your
                 attachment to it, your trust in the government and faith in the future.
                 Citizens of Lebanon,
                 On this day, I’m aware that you, especially the younger generation, have many
                 questions, doubts and feelings of alienation. This situation makes you rightfully look for
                 answers. I also know that one answer may be a substitute for many answers,
                 expressing your ambition for a government that is serious, just, capable,
                 understanding, concerned, aware, governed by the law, run by institutions, enjoying
                 security, freedom and prosperity and devoid of corruption. All of that is possible with
                 you and impossible without you.
                 On this day, I salute the steadfastness of our compatriots in the south and the western
                 Bekaa who are supporting their army in resisting Israel’s occupation and bow to the
                 martyrs who have fallen while defending their rights and dignity. I would like to say to
                 those martyrs: you’re in the country’s conscience and memory and will remain in the
                 heart and conscience of a government endeavouring to end the occupation. Our
                 perpetual concern is to reach a just peace together with Syria, based on a commitment
                 to a comprehensive withdrawal by the occupiers and the rejection of partial or separate
                 solutions.
                 Citizens of Lebanon,
                 I have few promises, many tasks and much hope. I will try my best to be the example in
                 every aspect called for by duty, requested by the law and made inevitable by
                 responsibility. I urge anybody who will occupy a public post to do the same because I
                 believe that reform starts from the top. May God open the way for you and I to achieve
                 the good deeds we have in mind.
                 Long live the Lebanese, long live Lebanon.