Aoun calls for unity, army's monopoly of arms on Army Day
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On Lebanese Army Day, President Aoun calls for unity, the army's monopoly on arms, and a solution to the Syrian refugee crisis in Lebanon.
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Lebanese President Joseph Aoun addresses parliament after being sworn in as new president, in Beirut, on January 9, 2025. (Hussein Malla/AP)
On the occasion of Lebanese Army Day 2025, Lebanese President General Joseph Aoun delivered a speech emphasizing the central role of the Lebanese Army in unifying the country, safeguarding its sovereignty, and restoring national stability.
Aoun declared that every martyr who fought and fell defending Lebanon, regardless of their affiliation, represents a national treasure.
"No institution in the country unites the Lebanese like the army," he further said, stressing Lebanese unity. President Aoun also urged political forces to rally behind the military institution, underscoring the importance of restricting all weapons to the Lebanese Army and security forces.
"It is our collective duty to push for the restriction of weapons to the Lebanese Army and security forces,” he stated, reaffirming the army’s legitimacy as a unifying force in the country’s fragmented political landscape.
Reflecting on the sacrifices made by the military, Aoun highlighted the army's actions in southern Lebanon, noting that the Lebanese Army had stood by the people, reasserted control south of the Litani River, and worked to confine or destroy any unauthorized weapons in the area.
Israeli attacks and appeal to the US
Referring to recent Israeli attacks on Lebanon, Aoun revealed that he had appealed to the American side to intervene.
"We called on the American side to stop [Israeli] attacks on Lebanon by land, sea, and air," he said.
He further called for the disarmament of all armed factions in Lebanon, including Hezbollah, explaining that this stance stems from his commitment to protect Lebanon’s borders, not to confront any particular group.
On the regional front, Aoun confirmed that he had sent a clear and direct message regarding the Syrian refugee crisis in Lebanon, demanding a radical and lasting solution to the prolonged humanitarian and economic burden on the country.
Governance reforms and domestic stability
Regarding domestic affairs, President Aoun highlighted the recent appointment of a new board of directors for the Council for Development and Reconstruction, noting that a damage assessment process has commenced, supported by diplomatic and development efforts abroad.
He also pointed to recent changes at Banque du Liban, emphasizing that the appointment of new figures there "will contribute to revitalizing the economy and returning investments," and reaffirmed his commitment to holding parliamentary elections on schedule.
In his concluding remarks, Aoun issued a broader appeal for national unity and accountability.
“Our legitimacy stems from the legitimacy of our army, and our dignity stems from its dignity,” he said, adding that, “This holiday will not be complete until liberation is complete and weapons are monopolized.”
He warned that the country is at a decisive moment, urging all parties to avoid provocations and prioritize national interest.
"We are all strengthened by our unity, our army, and our consensus," he stated, "Today, we must choose between collapse or stability. There is no third option."
Sheikh Qassem: No to disarming for ‘Israel’
President Aoun's statement comes after the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Sheikh Naim Qassem, made a speech on Wednesday, wherein he stated that the US envoy, Tom Barrack, was "surprised by a unified Lebanese national stance" from the three top Lebanese officials, demanding a halt to Israeli aggression before discussing anything else."
On the first anniversary of the martyrdom of Commander Fouad Shokor (Sayyed Mohsen), Sheikh Qassem added that the president, prime minister, and parliament speaker "want to rebuild Lebanon, and thus cannot agree to surrender its source of strength," at a time when “the Americans seek to strip that strength for Israel’s benefit, falsely claiming they want to help.”
He emphasized that the United States wants Hezbollah's disarmament "for Israel's benefit, not to maintain Lebanon's security," stressing that these arms are meant "to resist Israel and serve as Lebanon's source of strength." He also recalled that Hezbollah had previously expressed readiness "to discuss how these weapons could be integrated into a national defense strategy."
Sheikh Qassem cautioned that calls for disarming Hezbollah ultimately serve Israeli interests rather than Lebanon's sovereignty, affirming that the group would never comply with such demands, vowing to prevent Lebanon from becoming subservient to "Israel" regardless of international pressure. As long as Hezbollah exists, he asserted, Lebanon would never be allowed to fall under foreign domination or be held politically captive.
"We will not accept that Lebanon be annexed to Israel even if the whole world unites for this, and we will not accept that it be taken hostage as long as there is a single living soul among us," Hezbollah's chief asserted.
