The Lebanese president, Joseph Aoun, lamented on Tuesday that the army is paying a high price to "preserve Lebanon's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity," following the death of a soldier and injuries to three others during the dismantling of explosive materials in the Aaziye Valley (Sour) in southern Lebanon.

Addressing the army's commander in chief, General Rodolphe Haykal, and members of the Military Council, Aoun stated that "the army has paid and continues to pay the price in blood to preserve Lebanon's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and will remain true to its oath." He continued, "Be united because the Lebanese expect much from you."

Before his trip to Doha, the head of state met with Defense Minister Michel Menassa on Tuesday morning. He then went with the minister to the office of the army's commander in chief, where they held a meeting with the chief of the troop's intelligence service, Brigadier General Tony Kahwaji.

"The army's responsibility is great, especially in these difficult circumstances Lebanon is going through," said the president. "The army, like other institutions, has a role in the country's revival, which started with the reforms ... Lebanon has faced many challenges, and without this institution, it would not have lasted," he added.

Reacting to the soldier's death and the injuries suffered by the three others, Aoun estimated the day before that "once again, the army pays with the blood of its sons the price of imposing the state's authority in the south and establishing stability in that region through the implementation of U.N. Resolution 1701." This resolution, as a reminder, ended the war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006 and currently serves as the framework for the cease-fire in effect.

Meeting at State Security

The president also visited the State Security headquarters in Ramlet al-Baida, Beirut, on Tuesday morning. He was received by its director-general, General Edgard Lawandos. During this visit, Aoun was informed about the situation of this service following recent appointments. He also discussed increasing the number of its agents given the missions it is assigned.

Aoun then chaired a meeting with General Lawandos, his deputy, and several security officials. "Your role is to participate in combating corruption and bribery. The Lebanese are fed up with these illegal practices within the administration," said the head of state. "Be the ambassadors of State Security to the parties and not the ambassadors of the parties within State Security. You serve Lebanon and the state first and the people second, not the other way around," he added.

"Do not let political requests influence you, especially with municipal elections approaching and legislative elections in a year," Aoun stated. He also called on the security services to monitor all complaints concerning corruption or bribery during these elections.

The municipal elections are scheduled for next May. The legislative elections are expected to take place in 2026.

"State Security will live up to the missions assigned to it, especially in terms of combating corruption," said General Lawandos.