The new army commander in chief, General Rodolphe Haykal, affirmed on Friday that the troops "will work to restore the state sovereignty over the entire territory" at a time when the Israeli army continues to carry out strikes in Lebanon and occupies five points in the south.

In his speech, General Haykal "promised that the army will rise to the challenges and will work to restore the state sovereignty over the entire territory, continuing the implementation of United Nations Resolution 1701 in collaboration with UNIFIL, and facing daily Israeli violations in south Lebanon."

Following its war with Hezbollah, which theoretically ended with the cease-fire on Nov. 27, 2024, Israel maintained five points in southern Lebanon and continues its attacks against members of the party. The cease-fire agreement stipulates that this party must be disarmed and must retreat north of the Litani, while the army must deploy throughout southern Lebanon, previously a Hezbollah stronghold.

"Our priority is civil peace in the various Lebanese regions," the army's commander-in-chief emphasized. "We must preserve the professionalism of the troops and achieve security and surveillance of all borders." "Our troops will remain ready to intervene, and we will not tolerate any infringement on our institution," he also declared.

Recently, clashes erupted between clans close to Hezbollah and the new Syrian regime's army at the level of Hermel in North Bekaa, necessitating several interventions from the Lebanese Army.

Haykal was speaking in front of the entire army command, including unit commanders, during an extraordinary meeting at the army command headquarters in Yarze. He took the opportunity to inform them of the latest developments and give them directives specific to the current phase the country is going through. He also promised to look after the rights of military personnel, both active and retired, who have greatly suffered from the economic and financial crisis, and the devaluation of the Lebanese pound over the past years.