Army Commander Major General Joseph Aoun announced that the military institution remains cohesive and capable of protecting Lebanon and its people, emphasizing that the leadership is making every effort to alleviate the burden of the crisis on military personnel. During a meeting last Saturday in his office in Beirut with the Chief of the French Armed Forces, General Thierry Burkhard, they discussed ways to enhance cooperation and coordination between the two armies. General Burkhard praised the "significant role that the military institution plays in maintaining security and stability in Lebanon," stressing the "continuation of support for the army, especially in terms of providing emergency assistance and developing its operational capabilities, in addition to his country’s ongoing commitment to participating in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)."
For his part, Major General Aoun thanked his French counterpart for "his country’s unwavering support for Lebanon and its army," noting that "this support contributes to the military institution's ability to carry out its multiple and complex tasks, even while facing challenges due to the economic, political, and social situation; nonetheless, its personnel remain committed to the sanctity of their mission."
Despite the political and economic turmoil that Lebanon has recently experienced, transforming the country into a ticking time bomb that could explode at any moment—as evidenced by depositors storming banks to reclaim their funds and illegal migration boats setting off from Lebanese shores—the military institution continues to be unified and strong. It is capable of ensuring the continuity of its operations and the minimum activity of its personnel while also maintaining security and stability in the country.
This success is considered the result of efforts made personally by the Army Commander, who is constantly active both locally and internationally in seeking support for his institution to endure. This has garnered global appreciation, according to political sources monitoring the situation, as the international community continues to invest in the Lebanese army while refusing to provide any assistance to the Lebanese state or its ministries, limiting aid to humanitarian assistance and non-governmental organizations.
According to these sources, this support is expected to continue in the coming phase and is now an established consensus among Arab and Western capitals, as the army is supposed to maintain security at this stage. In the future, it is expected to become the sole army on Lebanese territory, where international pressure to disarm militias and unify weapons, as well as to implement international resolutions, will gradually intensify. This is because no state can exist with two armies on its land, and Hezbollah can no longer escalate its threats to Israeli security, Arab states’ security, or global security through arms or the export of illicit goods or through money laundering.
The recent joint statement from the United States, Saudi Arabia, and France confirmed this external perspective on the army and its deterrent approach regarding Hezbollah. It stated: The three countries affirmed the vital role that the Lebanese army and internal security forces continue to perform as the legitimate defenders of Lebanon's sovereignty and internal stability, in protecting the Lebanese people at a time of unprecedented crisis. The three nations emphasized the necessity for the Lebanese government to implement the provisions of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1559, 1680, 1701, 2650, and other relevant international resolutions, including those issued by the Arab League, and to commit to the Taif Agreement, which preserves national unity and civil peace in Lebanon.
