Speech given by the Lebanese Army Commander in Chief General Joseph Aoun to His Excellency the President of the Lebanese Republic General Michel Aoun, in the presence of members of the Military Council and senior commanding officers

Mr. President,
Seventy-seven years, an impressive journey in the Lebanese Army’s history, which was established shortly after Lebanon's independence, bearing the responsibility of defending it with honor, sacrifice, loyalty...and trust. It is the trust of preserving Lebanon, as an independent entity, protected from all dangers and threats. We still carry this trust in our veins, and in our uniforms that are saturated with the blood of the martyrs and the wounded, and the sweat of the steadfast, proud, heroic soldiers, who do not bow except to the flag of their country.

Mr. President,
While the citizens are suffering severely due to the crisis affecting our country, struggling and fighting to survive, they find by their side the soldiers of their country, who are facing this crisis with all determination, will, vigor, and insistence on steadfastness with limited resources awaiting its end. The army fully assumes its responsibility towards its homeland and its people, amid the multiplicity and complexity of its tasks, refusing to give up, committing to its oath whatever the sacrifices involved. Since its establishment, the army has fought many wars and battles, facing the harshest conditions, divisions and accusations, and confronting militias, the Israeli enemy and terrorism. All these challenges couldn’t defeat the army, so it remained steadfast... and still is. Our history speaks: whoever harms the army is the loser and they are condemned... Whoever attacks the army, history rejects them.

Mr. President,
In the midst of the faltering state institutions that we are experiencing today, the military institution remains the only and last coherent institution, the basis for the Lebanese entity, and the guarantee for its security and stability as well as the stability of the region, in contrast to all the skeptics and those who bet on its disintegration and collapse. Is the institution that confronts terrorism, drugs and deals with protests, maintains civil peace, and keeps pace with the parliamentary elections and other national issues, considered stumbling and disintegrating?
Is the institution that sacrificed the best of its youth on the altar of the homeland, compared to the rest of the unproductive institutions? It is steadfast because its sons are facing difficult circumstances with determination and persistence, and facing challenges and the financial crisis, with all its repercussions, with discipline and belief in the sanctity of the mission. Before your Excellency, I reiterate my confidence in them, and my pride in their vigor and dignity, which we will not allow anyone to harm. I am confident that we will pass this difficult and delicate stage, thanks to the determination and will of our soldiers, and with the support of the Lebanese, residents and expatriates, as well as countries friends of Lebanon.

Mr. President,
We know the magnitude of the challenges you face, and the responsibilities placed on you. We are all hopeful and confident that we will pass this stage with minimal losses, amid international and regional changes, the frequencies of which may reach our internal community. We have national and crucial steps ahead, the closest of which is the demarcation of the maritime borders. We are committed to any decision you take in this regard for the interest of Lebanon and the good of the Lebanese. You are entrusted with this duty. Finally, we pledge to you, as we pledge to our countrymen, that we will remain on our oath. What concerns us, is fortifying the military institution, keeping it away from turmoil, and keeping it coherent and capable of protecting Lebanon and preserving its stability.
Long live the Lebanese Army, Long live Lebanon