Meetings of General Jean Kahwagi

Wednesday, 18 January 2017

The Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Jean Kahwagi received in his office in Yarzeh on the occasion of the New Year a delegation of foreign and Arab Defense Attachés in Lebanon which was headed by the Italian Defense Attaché Brigadier Pier Luigi Monteduro in addition to representatives of the Truce Supervision Organization and their assistants. General Kahwagi delivered the following speech during the visit.


I begin my speech by welcoming each and every one of you, and by extending to you and through you to the commanders of your friend armies my utmost feelings of congratulations for the New Year. May the wishes of living in safety, stability and prosperity come true with the coming year. Furthermore, may this year bring a new opportunity for establishing further fruitful cooperation between our armies in a way to serve our common goals and values so that peace reigns back in all our countries.
Welcome to the Lebanese Military State Institution.


Friend officers
Unfortunately, the past year has witnessed continuous regional crises, particularly in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Libya. Moreover, terrorism has struck again in several friend states such as: France, the United States, Belgium, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey and others, leaving behind numerous innocent victims. It is worth mentioning that the international war against the terrorist “ISIS” organization has also witnessed important military developments that were embodied in the retreat of the organization from vast territories in Iraq and Syria, let alone suffering from major losses in equipment and souls among its ranks.
Terrorism has become the principal danger threatening the entire world population and its stability, civilization and lifestyles, particularly through resorting to the “lone wolves” strategy, making it difficult for intelligence agencies, regardless of their professionalism and security capabilities, to anticipate their plans and thwart their criminal schemes. Therefore, it has become vital to join international efforts in order to fight terrorism, which can be accomplished through two approaches. The first is by boosting the field work in order to eradicate terrorism’s main organizations, in order to alert the terrorists that their scheme is doomed to destruction. The second approach is by facing the abolitionist terrorist mentality with a counter-mentality, forged by religious, cultural, social and media references that eventually reach the same conclusion that this phenomenon surpasses targeting human values and principles solely, but also target divine religions themselves that call for benevolence, compassion and forgiveness as well as cultural and civilizational interaction between all human communities.
Locally, the security situation has witnessed an exceptional stability during the past year. That is mainly a result of the major efforts exerted by the army in cooperation with security agencies as well as qualitative preemptive operations executed by the Directorate of Intelligence and army forces, whether at the eastern border or inside the country. These operations have resulted in dismantling dozens of terrorist networks and cells, therefore frustrating their schemes aiming to target touristic and commercial facilities, popular gathering spots, military posts and State institutions.
However, these important accomplishments do not eliminate the fact that terrorism continues to threaten Lebanon. Moreover, these accomplishments will not impact our readiness to continue monitoring terrorist activities and invest all of our capabilities to fight terrorism.
At the political level, Lebanon has witnessed an exceptional breakthrough through the election of a president and the formation of a new government, bringing back international and regional confidence in the nation, mirroring a vast feeling of tranquility in the country and reinforcing hope of a political, economic and administrative reform. Undoubtedly, this development will contribute in supporting the army’s efforts in preserving national stability and facing different anticipated dangers and challenges.

 

Friend officers
I avail myself of this opportunity during this meeting to extend to you once again my appreciation and gratitude to your countries that have stood by the army and contributed in supporting it logistically and in combat in its battle against terrorism. I would also like to extend my appreciation to the UNIFIL and friend affiliated units that have also contributed in preserving the stability of southern borderline regions through assisting the army in the implementation of resolution 1701 and exposing repeated Israeli trespasses of the Lebanese territories, not to mention establishing developmental and social projects for the sake of southern citizens. Furthermore, I cannot but commend your professionalism and your performance of the assigned responsibilities as well as your firm will to strengthen the ties of cooperation and communication between the Lebanese army and your armies and raise them to the highest of levels.
May God grant you success and may you remain the best of representatives of your armies and the best of friends to the army and to your second country, Lebanon.

 

In his turn, Brigadier General Monteduro delivered a speech in which he expressed the delegations’ appreciation to the Army Command for the continuous interest in the situation of Defense Attachés and confirmed the delegation members’ commitment to further boost military cooperation with the Lebanese Army with all the available means and to support the LAF’s distinguished efforts aimed at thwarting the dangers threatening Lebanon and safeguarding Lebanese stability and security.