A Ceremony organized in honor of Institutions and individuals who offered grants to the Lebanese Army during “Dawn of the Outskirts” operation
Under the patronage and personal presence of Armed Forces Commander General Joseph Aoun General Joseph Aoun at the NCOs Central Club in Yarzeh, a ceremony was organized in honor of individuals and institutions that offered grants to the Lebanese Army during “Dawn of the Outskirts” operation. The Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General P.S.C Hatem Mallak attended the ceremony along with senior army officers and the esteemed honored guests. The ceremony initiated with the National Anthem ad a moment of silence in honor of the fallen army troops. General Aoun delivered a speech afterwards where he expressed his appreciation to all the sides and individuals who followed up the Dawn of the Outskirts operation with a sense of responsibility, enthusiasm and loyalty. He stressed that National solidarity in general and solidarity between the Army and the people in particular form the cornerstone of the great national establishment that is able to withstand the winds of crises and ordeals under any circumstance. He noted that this solidarity will constitute once again our most invincible weapon while confronting the exceptional situations that the country is encountering. He confirmed that the Army shall not squander the national feats that it achieved thanks to the blood of the martyrs and wounded soldiers. He added that the Army will remain as the safety valve of the country’s security and stability and will make every effort to strike firmly against any side attempting to take advantage of the current political turmoil in the country to sabotage civil peace or endanger national unity especially in light of the fact that preserving the citizens’ lives, their properties and the nation’s institutions as well as defending the land constitutes a red line that we shall not allow any side from crossing it under any circumstance or slogan.
Speech of the Armed Forces Commander General Joseph Aoun
Esteemed audience
Just as the Army Command has honored the media outlets that participated in covering the “Dawn of the Outskirts” operation as well as the Lebanese Red Cross whose members were side by side with the army troops at the front where they have endured the hardships and dangers to support the Army in its battle against terrorism, we would like to express to honor you in the same way for you have been the elite members of the loyal Lebanese society after you have offered to be during and after “Dawn of the Outskirts” operation the unknown soldiers who are willing to offer sacrifices without causing any commotion. Thus, allow us to introduce you publicly and to say that you have been for the Army as the true supporters and champions while being the pillars of the present and the hope of the future in the eye of the country.
We welcome you in one of the houses of your Military Institution.
Esteemed audience
The Military Institution has never been in any case an independent entity of the Lebanese society; Rather, it was and remains a living part that interacts with society and represents its dreams and aspirations in a sovereign, free and independent country that enjoys prosperity, security and stability with a distinguished stature among other countries of the world. The Military Institution is thus an integral part of this society in all its diversities, families and regions and works for the sake serving it with a sense of partiality and sincerity and on an equal footing.
Based on this, we consider that National solidarity in general and solidarity between the Army and the people in particular form the cornerstone of the great national establishment that is able to withstand the winds of crises and ordeals under any circumstance. We have managed to stand up against the Israeli enemy and succeeded in thwarting its sabotage schemes in addition to breaking its will. Furthermore, this solidarity has enabled us to confront terrorism in several battles leading to the “Dawn of the Outskirts” operation that ended with driving away the terrorist threat from the last inches of our eastern border. During all these hardships, you have been along with all the Lebanese people the true partners in this victory that represents in the national conscience a national day that may be added to the list of famous national days and an additional example that will be added in our glorious history book. I am confident that this solidarity will constitute once again our invincible weapon in confronting the exceptional situations that the country is encountering.
Esteemed audience
I would like to take advantage of this gathering to say that we cherish the confidence that you have entrusted to the army. It is a confidence that beats in the form of loyalty and appreciation in our veins and we will preserve it with the utmost determination and strong will.
I will take advantage of this platform to confirm through you to all the Lebanese people that the Army shall not squander the national feats that it achieved thanks to the blood of the martyrs and wounded soldiers. Furthermore, the Army will remain as the safety valve of the country’s security and stability and will make every effort to strike firmly against any side attempting to take advantage of the current political turmoil in the country to sabotage civil peace or endanger national unity especially in light of the fact that preserving the citizens’ lives, their properties and the nation’s institutions as well as defending the land constitutes a red line that we shall not allow any side from crossing it under any circumstance or slogan.
Finally, I voice to you all the appreciation and gratitude for your moral stances and for you material support dedicated to the Army. We will be registering this support with letters of gold and we can honestly say that such enthusiasm in serving the public interest and with such inveterate will to offer sacrifices societies can endure and prosper.
