Army Commander General Joseph Aoun visited the Non-Commissioned Officers Institute at the Mohammad Maki Barracks in Baalbek, where he met with third-year students soon to graduate, in the presence of their instructors and several officers. He toured the facility, inspecting its sections and training workshops, and attended a drill aimed at enhancing team collaboration and the spirit of cooperation. He listened to a briefing from the head of the institute about training, educational methods, suggestions for developing programs and curricula, and evaluation criteria used.
General Aoun addressed the students, saying, "This year marks the graduation of male and female non-commissioned officers from various combat military specialties for the first time in the army's history, which is a clear testament to the high competence that women possess, having proven their worth and gained significant trust and respect." He added, “A few days separate you from your graduation to join your service centers in military units spread across all Lebanese territories after two years of work, perseverance, and training. We recognize the challenges you faced amid harsh conditions and the economic crisis we are experiencing, yet you have proven your worth and excellence in confronting all these circumstances.”
He continued, "The military institution will benefit from all that you have acquired in knowledge during your educational phase and the spirit of leadership and responsibility that has been instilled in you, especially after the curricula have been developed to align with the demands of modern military work. You are the backbone of the army, and your role is essential in conveying the commands of the leaders to the soldiers, and we have great confidence in you. You only need to be worthy of the responsibility that lies upon you and the trust you have been granted, and it is your duty to maintain the institution and its continuity, and to safeguard the nation and its fortitude."
Following this, the Army Commander inspected the Fourth Land Border Regiment and toured several of its centers spread along the eastern borders, starting from the regiment's logistical base in Joura Al-Qal’ah - Arsal High Ground, up to the Eagle's Nest, the highest military center in the Middle East, accompanied by the regiment's commander and several officers.
General Aoun congratulated the officers and soldiers on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, appreciating the significant sacrifices made by the regiment deployed along the 86 kilometers of the border with Syria. He stated, "Your presence in this area is a factor for Lebanon's security and stability, and your duties are to protect your country no matter how severe the conditions and challenges become. Our motto is honor, sacrifice, and loyalty, and we work according to it as we believe in our country, which is currently going through a difficult crisis and sensitive conditions, but we are confident in our ability to overcome them."
The Army Commander praised the steadfastness of the soldiers at the border, appreciating their ability to endure and bear responsibility. He said, “Without you, no official or citizen can go to work; there are no institutions, no hospitals, no tourism — only the law of the jungle would prevail. Thanks to your efforts and sacrifices, the Baalbek and Beiteddine festivals have returned.” He affirmed the faith of the Lebanese people in their army, stating, “You are the foundation of this nation, and it needs you today, so be up to the responsibility despite the hardships you are going through and the dangers of your deployment in the hills and mountains. But your presence here brings life and spirit and spreads reassurance among the people; you work on securing the borders and preventing all kinds of smuggling and pursue traffickers of banned substances and human beings."
The Army Commander informed the soldiers that the leadership is aware of the depth of the suffering they are experiencing, closely monitoring their situations and working hard to alleviate them, especially in the winter season when temperatures drop to the lowest levels and snow blocks the centers. He pointed out that despite its modest capabilities, the leadership will work to improve their conditions through aid and donations from friendly and brotherly countries, announcing them and how to benefit from them transparently through our official channels. He also noted that there has been an improvement in the transportation operations of the soldiers to and from their service centers, following the deployment of transport buses according to a transportation plan recently established by the leadership.
He concluded by reiterating that difficult conditions are affecting all Lebanese and every sector, but despite the army's suffering, soldiers continue to make sacrifices to fulfill their assigned missions with full integrity and dedication, affirming that the military institution will not shy away from fulfilling its responsibilities, regardless of the circumstances and challenges.
