General Aoun visited LAF units stationed in the north of Lebanon
LAF Commander General Joseph Aoun visited Army units stationed in the north of Lebanon by visiting the Headquarters of the 2nd, 10th and 12th Brigade as well as the headquarter of the 1st Intervention Regiment. General Aoun inspected the security actions taken and held a meeting with the officers and troops to whom he gave the necessary directives.
In a speech, General Aoun confirmed that Tripoli is the city of history and tradition and the dignity of its people is one and the same as the dignity of the Army which will never give up on this city.
General Aoun noted that the region of Akkar is the principal tributary providing the army with soldiers and has offered great sacrifices for the country. He considered that the troops are not standing in confrontation with the people, yet they are executing their missions in conformity with laws and regulations. The troops are however in a persistent confrontation with rioters who are assaulting public and private institutions as well as governmental facilities.
“The Army is not the enemy of the people, it is defending and protecting the protesters. We share together the responsibility of keeping civil peace and we consider that disturbing the peace is out of the question and that the people’s unity is a primary goal and no party will be allowed to take advantage of the protests to tamper with internal security and stability” General Aoun added. “We are working silently based on our conviction that relies on our national principles and we shall not pay attention to malicious rumors assaulting the Army for the challenges are huge yet our will and determination are stronger” General Aoun reckoned.
General Aoun also called upon the troops to exercise self-restraint vis-à-vis the massive economic crisis that all citizens are suffering from. He noted that every soldier is a citizen suffering from the same burdens and that the Military Institution cannot be excluded from national matters and by relying on a responsible behavior we will surely reach safety. He stressed that is essential that the citizens stand by their Army which is offering huge sacrifices to protect the country, the people and State institutions.
