Opening of the 7th Regional Conference at the Central Military Club

The Central Military Club – Manara hosted a reception and the opening of the 7th Regional Conference addressing the “contradictions of the conflict and the transformation in the Arab World” organized by The Research and Strategic Studies Center in the Army under the patronage of His Excellency the President of the Republic General Michel Aoun with the participation of national, diplomatic and military figures as well as researchers and academics from Lebanon, and Arab and regional countries in addition to participants from International organizations.
The ceremony was attended by the Minister of National Defense the Engineer Yaacoub Riyad el-Sarraf who represented His Excellency the President of the Republic General Michel Aoun, MP Kasem Hashem who represented the Speaker Mr. Nabih Berry, His Excellency the Secretary General of the Arab League Mr. Ahmad Abou el-Ghayt. The ceremony was also attended by the Armed Forces Commander General Joseph Aoun in addition to officials responsible for the management of the conference and a crowd of guests. His Excellency Minister El-Sarraf delivered a speech on the occasion in which he welcomed the guests attending the ceremony and particularly the friends. He noted that the 7th Regional Conference for the Center of Research and Strategic Studies is held amidst numerous challenges and expectations. The challenges emanate from the continuous military and political escalation in the Middle East and the contradictions and balance shifts that accompany it as well as the impact of all the previously mentioned factors on Lebanon, one way or another. As for the expectations, they are those emanating from a firm will expressed by the new tenure under the leadership of His Excellency the President of the Republic General Michel Aoun which consists in sparing Lebanon as much as possible the shadow of crises that are covering the whole region as well as launching the state development process and reforming its institutions, regardless of the difficulties and obstacles that might face it, for it is inevitable to join efforts in order to progress, hand in hand and lead the nation to the shore of safety and stability.
In his turn, General Joseph Aoun delivered a speech in which he welcomed the guests and noted that the purpose of this conference is to shed light over the underlying causes of the thorny crises devastating the region with all of their deep ramifications and dimensions in addition to proposing objective solutions to solve these crises in the spirit of responsibility, objectivity and neutralism.

General Aoun added that “amidst the crises taking the region by storm and the major changes that are taking place on several levels, we have taken upon ourselves in the Lebanese Army to give ultimate priority to preserving national stability. This commitment is embodied through the preparedness of our units whether at the southern borders to face the schemes of the Israeli enemy, at the eastern borders to face terrorist organizations or inside the country to preserve security and prevent any breach. This stability is the cornerstone for building a unified nation, nay, it is the nation’s sturdy fortress in the face of all kinds of internal challenges and tumult. It is also the main pillar on which the expectations for the new tenure are built”. He confirmed that the Army “will continue in protecting this stability and facing terrorism with all its organizations, networks and lone wolves and shall not allow terrorism to find a safe haven in any region in the country, cost what may”. Furthermore, he reassured the Lebanese that the army’s preparedness in terms of weapons, equipment and morale is now better than any other previous time and that we are capable of confronting any occurring dangers and challenges with firm will and high competence.
The Chairman of the Conference General Committee Brigadier General Fadi Abi Farraj had delivered the opening speech where he highlighted the schedule, events and importance of the conference at the regional and International levels.

Speech of His Excellency, the Minister of National Defense Mr. Yaacoub Riad Sarraf

Speech of the Armed Forces Commander General Joseph Aoun