Lebanese President: Any security vacuum in the south constitutes an excuse for attacks and a violation of national sovereignty
Beirut, Sept 9 (KUNA) -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun affirmed on Wednesday that “any security vacuum in the south constitutes an excuse for attacks and a violation of national sovereignty,” stressing that maintaining internal security strengthens the official stance and Lebanon’s negotiating position. The Lebanese Presidency said in a statement that these remarks were made during President Aoun’s chairing of a security meeting at Baabda Palace, attended by Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal, Director General of Internal Security Forces Raad Abdullah, Director General of General Security Major General Hassan Chkair, and leaders of security and military agencies, to discuss conditions in the south, particularly in the Nabatieh area.
Aoun said that the security deployment in Nabatieh and areas not under the occupation of Israeli forces is linked to the Lebanese state’s commitments and “forms an integral part of the country’s security,” calling on security agencies to maintain constant coordination and assume their responsibilities to avoid “duplication of efforts and overlapping mandates.”
The Lebanese president considered that the army’s role represents the “backbone” of stability, with its mission complementing that of other agencies to protect infrastructure and ensure the return of residents. He affirmed during the meeting his support for military personnel and their rights, including both retirees and active-duty members, adding that “the sacrifices made by the army and security forces are not confined to a specific period.”
Aoun called for reconciling, “as much as possible,” between the state’s capacities and the rights of military personnel, working to fulfill achievable demands while preserving fiscal balance and the government’s steps to restore economic recovery.
Earlier on Wednesday, retired military personnel blocked the main road connecting Beirut and the north and set tires on fire near the government complex, coinciding with a cabinet session to discuss the 2027 budget bill. (End) f.z / m.a.a
