Army Commander General Joseph Aoun, during his visit to the Sixth Infantry Brigade in Baalbek and the Bekaa Area Intelligence Branch in Ablah, affirmed that while the army makes significant sacrifices and fulfills its responsibilities with professionalism and expertise despite challenges, "some agitated individuals and responsible parties, both concerned and unconcerned, continue to fabricate rumors, concoct files, distort the image of the institution, and accuse us of corruption and legal violations. If violating the law allows me to accept assistance from loving Lebanese people inside and outside the country, to provide medicine, nutrition, transportation for soldiers, healthcare, and school assistance for their families, and helps them endure and alleviate their living difficulties, and enables the army to carry out its missions, then I will break the law. Their concern is personal interests, while your concern is the interest of the homeland, protecting civil peace, and defending your oath. You pursue the nation's interest while they pursue their own interests. I tell them that the army is cohesive and strong; we will not care about your accusations, nor will you disrupt our execution of our mission which is nobler and more sacred than your slanders. Mind your own business and let us take care of ours. The army will remain greater than your files and rumors. You should better direct your efforts to assist and support the military institution instead of targeting it. May God help an army fighting ignorance, inflation, plague, and a lack of modesty and loyalty. May God protect the army and its soldiers." He addressed the soldiers saying, "May God help an army that fights ignorance, inflation, plague, and a lack of modesty and loyalty."
General Aoun extended condolences in the towns of Labweh, Talabaya, and Ablah for the soldiers who were martyred during raids on wanted individuals in the town of Hurtaala, affirming that their martyrdom will not deter the army from fulfilling its duty but will motivate it in its war on drugs, starting from its responsibility towards the people of Bekaa, based on the principle of holding criminals accountable according to the law and not seeking revenge. He noted that the residents of the area have the right to a safe life away from drug, theft, and kidnapping gangs. He added, "Our problem is not with the sons of the tribes or the region, but with those who defy the law, and these individuals have two options: either to surrender themselves to have their conditions addressed according to the law, or to bear the consequences of their actions."
Addressing those who hope to weaken the army, Aoun stated that "the army is stronger than before, and we have thousands of volunteer applications in addition to the return of a significant number of deserters." He also congratulated the military units in the south that confront Israeli enemy violations.
