Messages of support for the Lebanese Army, described as the "guardian of unity"

On Thursday, Aug. 1, the Lebanese Army marks its 79th anniversary without special celebrations, amid one of the most troubled periods in the country’s history.

Security-wise, the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel has reached its peak following the Israeli strike on southern Beirut on Tuesday, which killed a senior Hezbollah military official. Southern Lebanon has been ablaze since Oct. 8, and despite opposition calls for nationwide troop deployment, the region remains embroiled in a bloody conflict with the potential for further escalation.

Politically, recruiting new officers has been hampered by a long-standing dispute between Defense Minister Maurice Slim, appointed by former President Michel Aoun’s bloc, and Army Chief of Staff General Joseph Aoun. Although the issue was recently resolved in the Cabinet, recruitment has not yet been implemented.

Read more

The war college debate: a happy resolution?

Lebanon’s presidential vacuum, which has persisted since President Aoun’s term ended in October 2022, casts a shadow over the military institution. The army chief was due to retire last January, but his term was extended for a year. The issue will arise again next January if a new president, whose signature is required for the appointment of a new commander, is not elected.

Opposition Criticisms

In this troubled situation, messages of solidarity and support for the army have multiplied on Aug. 1, highlighting that the institution remains universally supported by the Lebanese people.

Several ministers from the outgoing government of Najib Mikati issued messages of support. Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi described the army as "the nation’s shield and symbol of legality."

Tourism Minister Georges Bouchikian emphasized that "Lebanese trust the brave members of the army, under the command of General Joseph Aoun, who leads with patriotism, courage, and wisdom."

For opponents of Hezbollah and the war in southern Lebanon, messages to the army provide an opportunity to issue political statements against the pro-Iranian faction. Kataeb party leader, MP Samy Gemayel, wrote on X: "You have our full trust. Only you can protect the land, secure the borders, and face aggression."

"The Aug. 1 celebration is indeed on hold, but it will certainly return because the hearts of the Lebanese beat only for the army, and their minds are convinced only by it, after experiencing deceptive and deadly alternatives," wrote Ghayyath Yazbeck, a Lebanese Forces (LF) MP.

MP Michel Moawad, the opposition’s presidential candidate, assured that "without unity, there is no state, no security, no stability, no prosperity, without the monopoly of arms being in the hands of the army and official security institutions, and without the return of strategic decisions to the state."

From the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) deputies, Ibrahim Kanaan referred to the social difficulties faced by soldiers since the beginning of the socio-economic crisis in 2019, including the devaluation of their salaries, noting that they perform their duty selflessly "while dreaming of regaining their rights and seeing the state recover its sovereignty and prestige." His colleague Simon Abi Ramia from the same bloc said that while political competition is legitimate, the army remains "the unifier and guarantor of national unity."

FPM leader Gebran Bassil posted a photo of former President Michel Aoun in military uniform from his time as army commander on X, accompanied by the caption "We will continue to be the party of the army." This photo omits the current army chief, General Joseph Aoun, with whom Bassil is not on good terms, particularly regarding General Aoun’s presidential candidacy.

Former MP Sleiman Frangieh, the Amal-Hezbollah presidential candidate, wrote on X: "The Lebanese army remains the guarantor of national unity." General Joseph Aoun has often been mentioned as Frangieh’s main competitor for the presidency, though he has never been officially a candidate.

MP Ahmad Kheir, from the National Moderation bloc (mostly Sunni), expressed "full confidence in our national army, which guarantees Lebanon’s protection and defense against threats, and full support to its command and soldiers wherever they are, especially in southern Lebanon."

Interim General Security Director Elias Baissari also sent a message to the troops, paying tribute to their efforts "facing all challenges and assuming the responsibility of maintaining security and countering the enemy."

Additionally, on the occasion of the army’s celebration, the U.S. Embassy in Beirut wrote on X that "the United States is proud to support the Lebanese Armed Forces, which play a key role in Lebanon’s stability and security."

This article originally appeared in French on L'Orient-Le Jour.

Multiples messages de soutien à l’armée libanaise, « garante de l’unité »