The Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, pointed out today, Friday, from the headquarters of the army in Yarzeh, that "for the second consecutive year, the traditional celebration on the first of August is absent, and the green field at the Shukri Ghanem barracks in Fayyadieh is missing the president of the country surrounded by state officials as he hands over swords to the graduating officers, whose voices resonate as they take the oath to defend the homeland. This presidential vacancy not only diminishes the joy of this national occasion, but also the security conditions that Lebanon is experiencing, from the south to the Bekaa, and reaching yesterday in the southern suburb of the capital, as a result of the continuous Israeli aggression on Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity, in addition to the economic and social hardship that the Lebanese, particularly the military, are suffering from. Added to all of this are concerning regional developments that threaten to escalate the danger and expand it from one area to another."
On the occasion of Army Day, Mikati said: "I wanted to be with you today, not only to congratulate you on the occasion and salute your sacrifices and bravery, but to reaffirm to you, and through you to all Lebanese, that the bet on you—officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers—remains the guarantee for the unity of Lebanon, land, people, and institutions, which makes rallying around your institution a national duty that transcends all bets and interests, whether political or personal, because the sacrifices you have made for the homeland have always been in the service of its elevation, sovereignty, and safety."
He continued: "General Army Commander, dear officers, while your contribution to the revival of Lebanon is significant and essential, it requires direct and effective support from constitutional institutions. Here, I renew my emphasis today on the necessity of electing a president for the republic, urging the honorable deputies to assume their responsibilities, move past their differing stances, and consult among themselves through honest, frank, and equitable dialogue that will inevitably lead to the selection of the one they deem fit to lead the process of restoring life to the homeland. The president is a symbol of its unity and the guardian of its constitution and independence."
"It is true that the government I head has worked and continues to work based on the powers granted to it by the constitution to find immediate solutions to the presented problems, in cooperation with the parliament—its president and members. However, there is an urgent need for fundamental reforms and sustainable solutions that can only be achieved with a president who oversees the protection of the system that the Lebanese have accepted, based on the principle of separation of powers and their balance and cooperation, grounded in the constants established by the Lebanese National Accord Document approved in the Taif Agreement."
"General Army Commander, dear officers, as we meet today, our people in the south, Bekaa, and yesterday in the southern suburb of Beirut still face Israeli aggressions that have resulted in hundreds of martyrs and wounded among civilians, military personnel, and resistance fighters. Families have been displaced, having lost their homes and suffered the destruction of their properties, and there is nothing to indicate that Israeli arrogance will cease."
"In light of the systematic and dangerous Israeli escalation, which we have witnessed in bloody chapters over the past few hours, we can only reaffirm our right to defend our land, sovereignty, and dignity by all available means, with no hesitation in this choice, regardless of the sacrifices we may endure. We have informed brotherly and friendly countries that we are advocates of peace and not of war, as we seek lasting stability through the retrieval of the occupied parts of our precious south and the commitment of the Israeli enemy to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701 in all its terms. All Israeli aggressions will not deter us from that."
"We have welcomed, and continue to welcome, any initiative that achieves our demand for the recovery of our remaining occupied territory and enhances the army's presence there in cooperation with international forces to prevent any violation of our internationally recognized borders, so that our people in the south can enjoy stability and security, especially since they have sacrificed for the liberation of the land. Furthermore, the investment of our wealth in our waters is an indisputable right with no room for negotiation."
"General Army Commander, dear officers, Army Day is not just your day, but it is a day for all Lebanese who see hope and expectations in you. Continue to bear the hardships in all their diversity, adhere to the laws, surpass everything that offends you, and keep your triple motto in view: Honor, Sacrifice, and Loyalty, embodying it in action and not just in words. The political authority is committed to securing your rights fully so that you and your families can feel secure in your present and future."
"On this occasion, I salute General Army Commander for his paternal care for the military institution's affairs and its demands and his commitment to protecting it and defending the dignity of its personnel. Long live you, long live the army."
