Events of the 4th day of General Aoun in Australia

The Armed Forces Commander General Joseph Aoun visited Archbishop Antoine Charbel Tarabey in “Beit Maroun” with the presence of Lebanese clerks from different sects. After the welcoming speech of the editor in chief of Al-Nahar Australian newspaper Mr. Anwar Harb, Archbishop Tarabey stated that it was the LAF Commander’s first visit to Australia and commended the sacrifices offered by the troops of the military institution.

General Aoun also stated that that national meeting conveys a real image of the Lebanese values and considered that the discussion about the war over terrorism is very common and that terrorism is using religion as a motto even though it is from that concept. General Aoun also stated that the LAF have triumphed over terrorism thanks to our belief in our cause, our professionalism and the affection of our people and thus, we were able to gain the respect of the strongest armies in the world. Furthermore, General Aoun congratulated Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month and assured that security is preserved in Lebanon. General Aoun also called upon the expatriates in the Lebanese Diaspora to visit their country and avoid falling for false rumors, stating that our nation remains the best nation on the security field despite the aggravating situation in the region, thanks to the constant preparedness of the military institution and the other security forces to preserve security. General Aoun extended a salute of reverence to the soul of martyr Private Ali Hassan Mustafa who fell in Tripoli two days ago, sacrificing his life for the sake of the nation. Cheikh Malek Zeidan from Dar el Fatwa, the head of Al-Mabarrat Association Cheikh Youssef Nabha and the head of the Maronite association Anthony Hachem delivered speeches in which they stressed the importance of the army’s role in protecting Lebanon and the Lebanese and commended General Aoun’s professionalism and bright military conduct. In the end, General Aoun offered a commemorative shield to Archbishop Tarabey as well as the “Dawn of the Outskirts” shield to Mr. Harb. Additionally, the Lebanese Diaspora in Sydney organized a ceremony in the honor of the LAF Commander and his spouse as well as the accompanying delegation. The ceremony was attended by Lebanese Ambassador Mr. Miled Raad, the Lebanese consul in Sydney Mr. Charbel Maacaroun and a crowd of MPs, political figures and representatives of spiritual sects in addition to heads of municipalities, representative of parties and organizations, businessmen, media outlets and members of the Diaspora.

The ceremony began with the Lebanese and Australian anthems, then with a minute of silence over the spirits of LAF martyrs. General Aoun delivered a speech on the occasion in which he extended his appreciation to consul Maacaroun and to the head of the media institution for the Middle East Wali Wehbe for organizing the ceremony as well as the Lebanese Diaspora for the warm welcome and for their constant support to the LAF and commended the Diaspora’s efficient role in the Australian community. General Aoun confirmed that security is preserved in Lebanon and called upon the citizens to visit their country and not abandon it, for He who has no nation, has no identity. General Aoun thanked all the audience for their support to the military institution and military hospitals in all Lebanese regions, stressing that our main weapon is the support of the Lebanese citizens through all our battles, the LAF Commander also expressed his pride in the LAF officers, NCOs and soldiers confirming that he has received calls from different foreign countries commending the way in which the “Dawn of the Outskirts” battle was directed. He added that Lebanese triumphed over terrorism and revealed that several culprits in the terrorist acts and other crimes were arrested. General Aoun saluted the President of the Republic General Michel Aoun and stated that the situation in Lebanon is stable thanks the conscience of the Lebanese and their support to their nation and army through all confrontations. Moreover, General considered that the LAF are performing a security mission inside Lebanon and at the borders in addition to humanitarian, environmental and social missions, stressing that the LAF do not forget their martyrs no their families. Several speeches were delivered during the ceremony, commending the performance and sacrifices of the LAF as well as the role and wise command of General Joseph Aoun. In the end, a film of the LAF, prepared by the Directorate of Orientation and General Aoun offered the LAF shield to the General Manager of the Media association, retired Major Remi Wehbe and journalist Sayed Mkhayel as a token of appreication to the efforts they exerted in prganizing the ceremony and the visit.