Events of the first day of General Aoun’s visit to Australia

LAF Commander General Joseph Aoun and the accompanying delegation arrived to Australia in a formal visit that will extend for several days where he will be meeting military and civilian officials with the aim of boosting the relations of cooperation between the Armies of both countries. General Aoun was welcomed at the airport by senior Australian army officers and the Australian Attaché in Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt Colonel P.S.C Christopher Buxton.

A ceremony was organized later during the day at the Australian Ministry of Defense where General Aoun assisted to a military protocol reception and was welcomed by the Australian Defense Force Commander Marshal Mark Binskin. A detachment of the Australian Royal Guard performed the military salute and a company of Defense Forces paraded in honor of General Aoun. During the visit, General Aoun held a meeting with Marshal Binskin where he discussed military related issues. General Aoun also visited the War Museum and the Memorial of Martyrs of Australia where he was welcomed by the Protocol Commissioner Sarah Haichman. General Aoun toured the museum and the memorial site and inspected the military equipment used in the battles fought by the Australian Army in World War I and World War II.

Following the Australian anthem that was performed by students from the different Australian States, General Aoun and Marshal Binskin placed a wreath of flowers on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier and a moment of silence in honor of the martyrs followed.

Later during the night, Marshal Binskin hosted a dinner party in honor of General Aoun, his spouse and the accompanying delegation in the presence of the Lebanese Ambassador and his spouse in addition to a large number of senior Australian military officials.