Lebanese President Joseph Aoun reaffirmed that the Lebanese Armed Forces are the guarantor of Lebanon's unity, sovereignty, and independence, stressing that "there is no legitimacy for any weapons outside the authority of the state, and no protection for the nation except through its unified national army."
اضافة اعلان
Speaking on the occasion of Lebanese Army Day, Aoun said the military is the only institution that possesses the authority, capability, and legitimacy to serve as the state's exclusive armed force.
He emphasized that efforts are continuing steadily and resolutely, step by step, to reinforce this principle in a way that preserves Lebanon's stability and safeguards peaceful coexistence.
Addressing the situation in southern Lebanon, Aoun said the next phase requires the full deployment of the Lebanese Army along the southern border, in parallel with any Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, and the exclusive extension of state authority across the entire country.
He said such measures would demonstrate Lebanon's ability—through its army alone—to protect its sovereignty, secure its borders, and create the conditions necessary for residents to return safely to their villages.
Aoun also called on the Lebanese people to rally behind the army, describing it as "the unifying red line" that stands above political and partisan divisions.
He warned that weakening the military institution or undermining public confidence in it would have negative consequences for the state and threaten the country's stability.
The president reaffirmed his confidence in the army's leadership, praising its management of key national security issues. He also pledged that the government would continue working to improve the living conditions of military personnel and provide the armed forces with the necessary funding, equipment, and training, in cooperation with friendly and allied countries.
