Soldiers pose in front of their vehicle in Kfar Shuba, southern Lebanon, on Aug. 26, 2023. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L’Orient-Le Jour)
Former President Emile Lahoud paid tribute on Saturday to the Lebanese Army for maintaining its positions in southern Lebanon, despite Israeli strikes targeting areas near their bases on Thursday.
Lahoud, a former commander-in-chief of the armed forces, extended “a salute of respect and esteem to the army, which has upheld the pride of all Lebanese,” according to a statement relayed by the official National News Agency (NNA). He also specifically praised the army commander, General Rodolph Haykal, who “proves, day after day, his valor, wisdom and strategic vision,” as well as “all the officers and personnel who assist him in the south of the Litani.”
“They have adopted an honorable stance by remaining at their posts at a time when the Israeli enemy insisted on continuing its attacks on our soil, violating the cease-fire, committing assassinations, and sowing destruction with no one held accountable,” he added.
Lahoud also called for “national unity” in the face of Israeli threats of a new military escalation in Lebanon, while stressing the need for “everyone to rally around the army and the resistance.” He said, “Resistance is not just a weapon. The weapon, in fact, is the least important part: resistance lies in spirit, attitude, conviction, faith and sacrifice. All these elements have united the resistance and its army, and it is through them that we can face an enemy who respects no agreement and is ready to destroy all of Lebanon.”
The former head of state also criticized “those inside who align with the enemy and imagine they will gain something if part of the country is harmed,” without specifying whom he was referring to.
On Thursday, General Haykal presented the army’s monthly report to the Council of Ministers on the implementation of the Hezbollah disarmament plan, approved by the government in September. The first phase of the plan involves dismantling Hezbollah’s arsenal south of the Litani River by the end of the year. However, the general warned that if Israeli escalation continues, the plan’s implementation could be suspended, a stance in line with the army’s recent posture toward Israeli provocations.
Following last week’s deadly Israeli infiltration in Blida, President Joseph Aoun instructed the army to oppose any future incursions by Israeli forces on Lebanese soil.
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