The visit of General Aoun to religious prominent figures in Tripoli

The Lebanese Army Commander in Chief General Joseph Aoun visited the religious prominent figures in the city of Tripoli, where he met in Dar Al Iftaa the Mufti of Tripoli and the North Sheikh Muhammad Imam in the presence of a number of scholars and sheikhs.

He then met Archbishop Youssef Soueif in the Maronite Diocese of Tripoli and congratulated him on the occasion of Saint Maroun’s Day, in the presence of the head of the Diocese of Tripoli for the Greek Orthodox Archbishop Avram Kyriakos, and Archimandrite Elias Bustani representing the head of the Diocese of Tripoli and the North for the Melkite Greek Catholic Archbishop Edward Daher.

In the end, he visited the Alawi Islamic Council in Jabal Mohsen, where he met the Acting President of the Council, Sheikh Muhammad Asfour and a number of sheikhs.

In Dar Al Iftaa, Sheikh Imam praised the sacrifices of the military institution and its role in protecting security and stability, and the integration between it and the religious institution in order to serve society and face these difficult circumstances.

For his part, General Aoun considered that Dar Al-Ifta has a historical, social, political and national role, especially in the pivotal phases, rejecting the notion of “Tripoli, incubator of terrorism”. He said: “If some young people are deceived, influenced by economic needs, it does not mean that Tripoli, this historic city, a city of coexistence, is terrorist. I call upon you, as religious figures in the city, who enjoy the respect and appreciation of your people, to continue what you started by educating our youth and our children about the dangers of slipping into drugs, crime, terrorism and so on, noting that poverty should not be a motive for these abnormal cases”.

In the Archdiocese, the bishop saluted the sons of the military institution who are facing the economic crisis steadfastly, defying its repercussions to continue their missions and serve their country. In return, the army commander in chief stressed that sacrifice is not only bloodshed, as the soldiers sacrifice daily in every mission they perform, and their conviction is firm that their belief in their homeland and uniform does not change nor falter.

Sheikh Asfour stressed that the army enjoys a national consensus from all constituents of the society because it is the guarantor of civil peace and stability. General Aoun stressed the necessity of solidarity and unity in order to pass the current, difficult and delicate stage, pending the end of this crisis.