Lebanon army chief urges liberation of land amid Israeli occupation

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
Today 11:08
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Lebanese Army Commander Rodolphe Haykal warns the nation is facing a critical phase as Israeli violations persist, stressing the importance of liberating occupied land and reinforcing state authority.

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The Commander of the Lebanese Army, General Rudolphe Haykal, is inspecting the command structure of the 10th Infantry Brigade in Kfarshkna-Zgharta on October 13, 2025. (Lebanese Army)

Lebanese Army Commander Rodolphe Haykal has issued the “Order of the Day” on the eve of the 82nd anniversary of Lebanon’s independence, warning that the country is facing “a decisive phase, among the most difficult in its history,” amid the continued occupation of Lebanese territory by the Israeli occupation, and escalating attacks and violations along the southern border.

He stressed that the liberation of all Lebanese land remains fundamental to realizing the full meaning of independence.

Haykal said the Israeli occupation’s ongoing assaults have led to martyrs and wounded civilians and soldiers, limiting the army’s ability to expand its deployment across the entirety of the nation's territory while inflicting widespread damage on homes and infrastructure.

Furthermore, he stressed that the "Lebanese Army has exerted major efforts since the implementation of the cessation of hostilities agreement, despite its limited capabilities and mounting challenges." These steps, he explained, fall within a broader plan to reinforce the army’s presence south of the Litani River and ensure the authority of the Lebanese state is exercised over every part of the country.

Protecting Lebanon on all fronts

Haykal emphasized that all operations are carried out under the directives of the Lebanese government, with full adherence to Resolution 1701 and its provisions, and in coordination with UNIFIL and the mechanism committee tasked with overseeing its implementation.

Resolution 1701 was reached in the wake of the 2006 Israeli war on Lebanon. It calls for the full cessation of hostilities and the deployment of the Lebanese Army to Southern Lebanon, as well as the establishment of a demilitarized zone between the Blue Line and the Litani River.

He further stressed that the success of these national defense efforts hinges on robust institutional support and the allocation of sufficient resources to sustain ongoing military operations. Strengthening the living and working conditions of army personnel, he noted, is essential to enabling them to restore stability and safeguard the homeland.

Haykal said that, in addition to defending the southern border, the army continues to confront terrorism, pursue wanted individuals, dismantle drug-trafficking networks, secure the northern and eastern frontiers, protect Lebanon’s territorial waters, and counter smuggling operations in coordination with the Syrian authorities.

Berri urges Lebanese government to request urgent UNSC session

In a similar context, Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri warned on Wednesday that the Israeli occupation is escalating its attacks against civilians in the south, calling for immediate international action as Israeli violations of Resolution 1701 intensify.

Berri said the Israeli enemy “is repeating its crime of targeting civilians, children, students, most recently in the town of Al-Tiri.”

He added, “Unfortunately, Lebanon, which is committed to Resolution 1701 and the cessation of hostilities agreement, has become the target of condemnation and criticism,” despite abiding by its obligations.

The Speaker stressed that Lebanon “must continue to submit complaints to the Security Council,” and today it is required to call for an urgent session.

He reiterated that the country is compelled to request an emergency session “to condemn Israeli violations.”

Aoun: Army steadfast despite smear campaigns

At the time, President Joseph Aoun reaffirmed that the Lebanese Army remains firm in its duty to safeguard the nation, regardless of pressure, incitement, or efforts to undermine its role.

His remarks came during a phone call with Haykal, during which he extended condolences for the soldiers martyred the previous night while pursuing drug traffickers in the Sharaouna neighborhood of Baalbek. He also wished a swift recovery to those wounded.

“The army once again pays with the blood of its men to protect Lebanese society from the scourge of drugs and uphold the rule of law,” Aoun stated, emphasizing that the fallen troops “joined a long line of comrades who have sacrificed the most precious for the sake of their oath.”

He underscored that the army, working closely with other security agencies, continues to combat criminal activity, protect borders, and extend state authority across Lebanese territory.

Beirut preparing new UNSC complaint over Israeli wall

Aoun’s comments also followed his call last week for Lebanon to file an urgent complaint to the UNSC over "Israel’s" construction of a concrete wall that breaches the UN-demarcated Blue Line marking the line of Israeli withdrawal in 2000.

The president instructed Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji to direct Lebanon’s permanent mission to the UN to file the complaint and to attach UN reports that contradict Israeli denials, confirming that the wall blocks residents from accessing more than 4,000 square meters of Lebanese land.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has informed the Israeli occupation of the need to dismantle the structure, condemning its construction inside Lebanese territory and asserting it violates the UN resolution.

These remarks come as the Lebanese Army and its commander face escalating accusations from American lawmakers, particularly Senators Lindsey Graham and Joni Ernst. The senators criticized General Haykal over a recent Army statement addressing the ongoing Israeli attacks targeting UNIFIL personnel. In that statement, the Army, in full accordance with the official Lebanese stance, referred to "Israel" as an “enemy", upsetting US officials.