Lebanese President: The army's weapon is the only legitimate weapon

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated on Friday that the Lebanese Army is “the sole legitimate institution, and its weapons are the only legitimate arms, not by force or under anyone’s guardianship, but thanks to the trust of all Lebanese.”

He made these remarks during a speech delivered while presiding over the laying of the foundation stone for the “Mutual Aid Housing” project for officers and enlisted personnel of the Lebanese Army in the Baabda area, east of Beirut.

Aoun emphasized that nation-building is achieved through “mutual support, firm will, and the embrace and solidarity of all friends of Lebanon around the world with the military institution.”

For his part, Lebanese Defense Minister Michel Mounzer noted that countries need armies to protect them in both peace and war, “but conversely, a soldier cannot fight unless he is provided with fair and dignified means of life.”

Mounzer added that “while the soldier safeguards the status of his country, he must have a place to return to and settle in; while he honors his oath, there must be a commitment toward him; and while he makes sacrifices to preserve the dignity of his land and nation, he must be guaranteed a dignified life.”