The Lebanese Armed Forces Commander received the Prime Minister and they met with the officers

The Lebanese Armed Forces Commander, General Joseph Aoun, received in his office in Yarzeh Prime Minister Najib Mikati and discussed the country's latest developments and the situation on the southern borders.
They then proceeded to the General Najm hall, where they met with the officers. General Joseph Aoun, welcomed Prime Minister Najib Mikati, and addressed him, stating: "Mr. President, I welcome you and express my gratitude for the trust and faith you have placed in this institution, which serves as Lebanon’s backbone and the guarantor of civil tranquility and stability. This institution shall undoubtedly remain steadfast in its resolve. I thank you for your affection, support, and trust on behalf of myself and every member and officer within this military institution. You are most welcome in the institution of honor, sacrifice, and loyalty."
The Prime Minister delivered a speech in which he said: “For the second consecutive year, the traditional celebration on the 1st of August is absent, and the verdant parade grounds of the Shukri Ghanem barracks in Al Fiyyadiyeh, where the President of the Republic would be surrounded by the pillars of state and hands over the swords to the graduating officers whose voices resound as they take the oath to defend the homeland, is missed.  This presidential vacancy not only dampens the joy of this national occasion, but also the security conditions that Lebanon is experiencing, from the South to Bekaa, and even yesterday reaching the southern suburbs of the capital - a dire consequence of the unrelenting Israeli aggression against Lebanon's sovereignty and the integrity of its territories, as well as the economic and social hardship afflicting the Lebanese people as a whole, and our military personnel in particular, in addition to the concerning regional developments that warn of an escalation in the level of danger and its expansion from one region to another".
And he added: 'Yet despite all of this, I wanted to be with you today, not only to congratulate you on this occasion and to honor your sacrifices and valor, but also to reaffirm to you, and through you to all the Lebanese people, that the trust placed in you - our officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers - remains the surest guarantee for the unity of Lebanon, its land, its people, and its institutions. This makes rallying around your institution a unifying national duty before which all other calculations and interests, whether political or personal, must yield, for the testimonies you have offered upon the altar of the homeland, have never been for anything other than its glory, its sovereignty, and its integrity.'"
He continued: 'While your contribution to the revival of Lebanon once again is substantial and essential, it requires direct and effective support from the constitutional institutions. This is why I renew the emphasis, particularly today, on the necessity of electing a President of the Republic. I call upon the honorable Members of Parliament to shoulder their responsibilities, overcome the differences in their positions, and engage in sincere, forthright, and equitable dialogue that will inevitably lead to the selection of the one they deem most suitable to guide the process of reviving the country. For the President is the symbol of its unity, the guardian of respect for its constitution, and the protector of its independence.
It is true that the government I lead has worked, and continues to work, based on the powers granted to it by the Constitution to find immediate solutions to the pressing problems, in cooperation with the Parliament, its President, and members. However, the need is urgent for radical reforms and sustainable solutions, which can only be achieved with a President of the State who will ensure the protection of the system chosen by the Lebanese, founded on the principle of separation of powers, their balance, and their cooperation, and anchored in the constants defined by the Document of National Accord, as ratified in the Taif Agreement."
He added: “As we gather here today, our people in the South, the Bekaa, and just yesterday in the southern suburbs of Beirut, continue to face Israeli attacks that have claimed hundreds of martyrs and wounded - civilians, military personnel, and resistance fighters, and displaced families who have lost their homes and had their properties burned. There is no indication that Israel's arrogance will stop.
In the face of this systematic and dangerous Israeli escalation, of which we have witnessed bloody episodes in the past few hours, we have no choice but to affirm our right to defend our land, sovereignty, and dignity by all available means, without hesitation, no matter how great the sacrifices may be. We have informed the brotherly and friendly countries that we are advocates of peace, not war, as we seek permanent stability through the recovery of the occupied parts of our beloved South, and the commitment of the Israeli enemy to the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. No Israeli aggression will deter us from that."
We have welcomed, and continue to welcome, any initiative that achieves what we want: the recovery of what remains of our occupied land, and the reinforcement of the LAF’s deployment 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 made sacrifices to liberate the land. Likewise, the exploitation of our natural resources, particularly our waters, is an indisputable and non-negotiable right."
He concluded by stating: “The Army's celebration is not yours alone, but rather the celebration of all Lebanese who see in you their hope and aspiration. Continue to endure the various hardships, abide by the laws, and overcome anything that offends or harms you. Keep your three-part motto - honor, sacrifice, loyalty - at the forefront, and embody it in deeds, not just in words. The political authority is committed to securing your full rights, so that you and your families may feel reassured about your present and future. On this occasion, I salute the Commander and his paternal care for the affairs of the military institution, its needs, and his resolute efforts in protecting it and defending the dignity of its personnel.

Long Live the Army, Long Live Lebanon”