The President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, greeted the army, its leadership, officers, non-commissioned officers, and individuals on Army Day, which falls today, the first of August. President Aoun said on the occasion: “The Lebanese Army is not an institution like all other institutions, but rather it is the sole guarantor of Lebanon’s unity, sovereignty, and independence. It is time for all of us to consolidate this established constitutional and national truth: There is no legitimacy for any weapon outside the legitimacy of the state, and there is no protection for this nation except by its unified national army, which represents all the Lebanese regardless of their regions, sects, and affiliations. The army alone has the decision, power, and legitimacy to be the exclusive military arm of the state, and this is what we are firmly working on.” And determination, step by step, in order to ensure the safety of coexistence and the stability of the country.” President Aoun added: “In the south, where our army wrote the most wonderful pages of sacrifice and steadfastness, today the responsibility of the army doubles with every step of Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory. The next stage requires the full deployment of military units along the entire southern border, and the exclusive extension of state authority over its lands, which confirms to the world that Lebanon is capable, with its army alone, of protecting its sovereignty and controlling the security of this sensitive region, in preparation for the safe return of its people to their villages and towns. If the army is performing this important role, then having the Lebanese people rally around it is not a luxury, but rather an existential necessity. A strong army is not built with equipment alone, but rather with the trust of its people and its moral and material support. Therefore, every questioning of the army institution or attempt to isolate it from its popular incubator weakens the entire state and threatens what remains of the elements of stability. Therefore, I call on all Lebanese, at home and in the countries of expansion, for the army to be their unifying red line, above every political or partisan dispute, because it is not permissible to strip the nation of an army that defends it. I renew, with all confidence and pride, my full confidence in the leadership of the army, which has proven in the most delicate and difficult circumstances that it is at a high level of responsibility, professionalism and impartiality, managing sensitive files wisely and with concern for the highest national interest, far from any bidding or bias, and this is what strengthens the position of this institution in the conscience of all Lebanese. As for the soldiers who watch over our borders and security in light of extremely difficult economic and living conditions, I assure them that the Lebanese state, its presidency, parliament, and government, will continue with all its determination to work to improve their living and social conditions, and to secure the necessary support for them and their families, because the dignity of the soldier is the dignity of the nation, and he should not be asked to sacrifice while he and his family are left vulnerable to want and deprivation. We will continue to strive, in coordination with brotherly and friendly countries, to provide the support, equipment and training that befits an ancient institution that has made and continues to make the most precious sacrifices. Long live the army, long live Lebanon, and glory and eternity to our righteous martyrs.”