Meeting of the Commander in Chief with the command staff, commanders of major units, and independent battalions

The Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces General Rodolphe Haykal held an exceptional meeting in Yarzeh, attended by the command staff, commanders of major units, and independent battalions. The meeting discussed the latest developments on both the local and regional levels, as well as military institution matters. He provided them with the necessary directives in light of the current phase.

General Haykal emphasized that his assumption of the command of the army is a strong indication of the great trust placed in him by His Excellency President of the Republic General Joseph Aoun and the Cabinet. He acknowledged that this trust comes with a heavy responsibility, given the challenges and threats faced by both Lebanon and the region. He pointed out that, despite the difficulties of past phases, the military institution has remained cohesive, built on unwavering national principles, and has always been the guarantor of Lebanon’s security. He also highlighted the importance of the efforts made by all personnel—officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers—and the sacrifices of the martyrs and the wounded in strengthening the army's power and earning the trust of the Lebanese people. Moreover, he affirmed that the army's successes in recent years are proof of the correctness of its national performance, and assured that the leadership will work in the coming phase to ensure continuity, relying on principles of competence and transparency.

In this context, the Commander in Chief addressed the officers, saying: "I promise you that the army will rise to the challenges, working to extend the state's authority over all Lebanese territory, continue to implement Resolution 1701 in cooperation with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), and confront the repeated attacks and violations by the Israeli enemy. Our priority is to ensure civil peace across all Lebanese regions, maintain the army’s professional performance, and monitor and secure the borders. We will maintain maximum readiness and will not tolerate any threats to the institution."

The Commander then addressed the issue of military personnel's rights, stating: "I will do everything in my power to support the rights of military personnel, both those in active service and retirees, as well as the families of martyrs, in a manner that befits their sacrifices." He concluded by expressing his gratitude to the Chief of Staff, Major General Hassan Audi, for his efforts during his tenure in leadership, emphasizing that the current phase demands the highest levels of awareness and full readiness to sacrifice for Lebanon. He assured that the army is prepared to carry out its duties, regardless of the challenges.