Lebanon’s security chiefs appeal to Aoun to find solutions to the country’s crises

BEIRUT — The commander-in-chief of the Lebanese army, Joseph Aoun, along with heads of the country's security apparatus warned against the economic crisis’ harmful effects on their institution during meetings with President Michel Aoun on Tuesday, and incited Aoun to improve living conditions of the military and the Lebanese in general.

Here’s what we know:

    • Speaking to the president, Joseph Aoun stressed that “harming the morale of the soldiers is absolutely not allowed, and those whose motto was sacrifice will not be overcome by challenges,” the president’s office reported.

    • The Lebanese army has been affected by Lebanon's economic crisis and the lira’s devaluation. Soldiers' living conditions have deteriorated as the army has tightened its belt, and over summer it ceased feeding meat to its enlisted due to skyrocketing food prices.

    • Director-general of the Internal Security Forces Imad Osman, who visited the president on Tuesday, voiced similar concerns, saying “we hope that quick and effective solutions to the situation of the military and officers can be found,” recommending that Aoun increase the salaries of members of military institutions.

    • For his part, General Security chief Abbas Ibrahim addressed president Aoun, saying: “All Lebanese in favor of reforms are waiting for initiatives that can put this process on track.” The security official also told Aoun, “The Lebanese know that you are sincere and it is not too late to give them hope for a better future.”

    • The structural reforms to revive the country’s crisis-mired economy are a necessary condition for the materialization of international aid to Lebanon, but the cabinet responsible for launching this project has not met since mid-October, due to political tensions over the investigation into the 2020 Beirut port explosion. On Monday, Ibrahim denied a role in mediating for the resumption of cabinet meetings.

    • Gen. Tony Saliba, director of State Security, said that his institution was ready to face the “enemies of the country,” reiterating his confidence in Aoun, to whom he reputedly close.

    • On Monday, the president stressed that only the state has the right to set the national defense strategy, a remark interpreted as a clear criticism of Hezbollah, which has significantly influenced Lebanese politics and remains the only party to have retained its weapons after the end of the Civil War in 1990. Aoun also called for the cabinet to resume meeting to manage urgent issues, especially those related to the economic crisis.