Beirut, Lebanon – Lebanese President Joseph Aoun affirmed on Friday that the Lebanese Army is the sole guarantor of Lebanon’s unity, sovereignty, and independence. In a message marking Army Day, he stressed that “no weapon has legitimacy outside the legitimacy of the state, and there is no protection for this nation except through its unified national army.” Aoun clarified that the military institution represents the exclusive military arm of the state, and is not merely an institution like any other. He emphasized that the authorities are working steadily and resolutely, step by step, to solidify this principle in a way that preserves stability and the safety of coexistence.
Widespread deployment in the south to pave the way for the return of residents
The Lebanese president noted that the army’s responsibilities in the south increase with each Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory. He stressed that the next phase requires the full deployment of the armed forces along the southern border and the exclusive establishment of state authority, which paves the way for the safe return of residents to their villages and towns.
Popular support for the military establishment and a warning against questioning it.
Aoun called on Lebanese citizens at home and abroad to rally around the army, considering this support an existential necessity, not merely an option. The Lebanese president warned that attempts to undermine the military institution or isolate it from its popular base would weaken the state and threaten public stability. Aoun reiterated his complete confidence in the army’s leadership, praising its wise and professional handling of sensitive matters, free from political wrangling, which has strengthened the institution’s standing in the hearts of the Lebanese people.
Government commitment to improving the living conditions of military personnel and providing support
The Lebanese president concluded his message by affirming that the state will continue working to improve the living and social conditions of military personnel and to provide them and their families with the necessary support. He also noted ongoing efforts, in coordination with brotherly and friendly nations, to provide the military with the latest equipment and training to enable it to fulfill its national duties.
