President-Elect Michel Suleiman address to parliament prior to oath

Source: Nowlebanon.com, 25-05-2008
-I call on you all, political forces and citizens, to build a Lebanon we all agree on, setting the interests of Lebanon above our individual interests.
-We must activate constitutional institutions.
-Lebanon ... which carries so much pluralism, pushes us to find agreement. Lebanon chose to follow what was agreed upon in the Taif Accord.
-The mutual accusations only lead to further divides, especially among the youth. We must find understanding.
-Our relations with the outside world remain correct and more active as long as it respects the privacy of Lebanon.
-Perhaps the most dangerous event of the past years was the accusations of treachery; therefore, we must immunize the nation through agreement.
-If it is important that the electoral law provide just representation of the people, it is even more important, then, that the results of the elections be accepted.
-The Lebanese diaspora has the right to nationality.
-We must acknowledge the rights of the Lebanese abroad.
-We must work on the issue of the internally displaced persons in order to close this file for good.
-We still confirm our commitment to and respect for all UN resolutions ... especially for the martyr Rafik Hariri and all our martyrs.
-The continuation of Israeli aggressions necessitates the creation of a defense strategy which allows us to make use of the resistance's experience.
-Today coincides with the anniversary of our liberation ... which we sacrificed for to keep our nation.
-We await brotherly relations between Lebanon and Syria, with mutual respect for the sovereignty of each [country].
-The Palestinian cause cannot be used as a pretext for any armament that defies national security.
-Any gun is only pointed at the enemy, and we will not allow it to be aimed elsewhere.
-Our rejection of [Palestinian] resettlement does not mean we do not want to host Palestinians.
-The continuation of the resistance depends on the people's need for [the resistance], and its achievements should not be used by internal struggles.
-We paid a high price for our national unity, so let us preserve it hand in hand for God unites us.