Visitors of the Armed Forces Commander General Joseph Aoun
The Armed Forces Commander General Joseph Aoun received in his office in Yarzeh on the occasion of the New Year a delegation from the Arab and foreign military attachés in Lebanon as well as representatives from the truce surveillance committee and their assistants, led by the dean of the committee, French military attaché Colonel Christian Herrou.
General Aoun delivered a speech on the occasion that included:
Friend officers
Esteemed audience
At first, I am pleased to welcome you in this periodic meeting that gathers us on the occasion of the New Year. Allow me to extend to each one of you, and through you to the commanders of your friend armies, the warmest congratulations and most sincere wishes. May this year bring your friend countries further impregnability and stability as well as progress on different levels.
Furthermore, allow me to commend your performance as military attachés, whether through your efforts exerted in strengthening the ties of cooperation between us or through your commitment to military conduct in order to preserve the honor of the mission you are assigned to in a way to serve the good reputation of your country and the position and noble legacy of your armies.
Welcome to the institution of the Lebanese Armed Forces.
Esteemed audience
The year 2017 has witnessed numerous political and security developments in several regions of the world. Therefore, our countries and armies have joined efforts to carry on with the war against terrorism which danger has become a global obsession, due to the deployment of terrorists through different states and their use of social media and modern technology for propaganda and incitement to commit crimes in various manners, mainly the lone wolves method.
However, at the level of the Middle East and the Arab region in specific, major accomplishments where achieved during the past year in facing terrorism, mainly eradicating the terrorist “ISIS” organization in Iraq and curtailing its existence in Syria.
As for Lebanon, as you know, we were able during the past summer to completely chase away the terrorist ISIS and el Nusra organizations from the borders. Moreover, we were able to later on dismantle dozens of terrorist webs and cells belonging to these organizations, thus protecting Lebanon from being targeted by terrorists groups through sabotaging operations on the inside as retaliation for their devastating defeat. Thanks to the preemptive security which we have committed to quasi-daily, we have thwarted all terrorist schemes. Hence, Lebanon has not witnessed any terrorist operation inside the country during the year 2017.
Despite all these accomplishments, the danger of terrorism remains standing as it forms an ideological state of mind with goals of annihilation. Therefore, radically facing it requires a real handling of delicate cultural, social and economic issues.
However, this fact, regardless of its importance, does not undermine in any form the necessity to carry on with the direct confrontation of this danger. Thus, the success in destabilizing it would generate desperation and frustration in the souls of terrorists and would eventually persuade them that their sabotaging schemes are futile and unviable.
Esteemed audience
The Lebanese Armed Forces are persistent in the journey of defending Lebanon and preserving its security and stability, regardless of the cost and sacrifices. We are committed to preserving the stability of southern borders in cooperation with the UNIFIL in the frame of Resolution 1701. In parallel, we are prepared to face any Israeli assault against Lebanon and we are committed to controlling the entire land and naval borders in order to prevent all kinds of infiltration and smuggling operations and effectively contribute to protecting the security of friend states, whether near or far.
We have taken it upon ourselves to fast track on the path of boosting the capabilities of the Lebanese Armed Forces. Therefore, we have prepared the Capability Development Plan in order to provide the Lebanese Armed Forces with the suitable weapons and equipment that enable them to fully accomplish their security and defense missions.
We are very grateful and proud of the friend states that have offered and continue to offer qualitative aid to the Lebanese Armed Forces, highly contributing to accomplishing victory over terrorism in the “Dawn of the Outskirts” operation. We are counting on their role in supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces during the Rome convention which will be held in the coming February, particularly that the entire International community now realizes that our army is a vital partner in fighting terrorism and preserving regional and international stability and that its doctrine consists of defending Lebanon solely and preserving the values of freedom, democracy and Human Rights.
In the end, I extend to you my appreciation for your attendance and cooperation as I extend my most sincere wishes of luck and success in every activity you perform. May you enjoy happiness and tranquility in your second country, Lebanon.
My best of wishes for the New Year to you and your families.
Colonel Herrou also delivered a speech on the occasion in which he extended his appreciation on behalf of the delegation to the LAF Command for its interest in the situation of military attachés. Colonel Herrou commended the role of the LAF that has proven its capability to face external and internal challenges and confirmed that friend states will continue to support the efforts of the LAF in preserving Lebanon’s unity and stability.
