Commander-in-chief of the Lebanese army Rodolph Haykal. (Credit: Archive photo NNA)
BEIRUT —Army commander-in-chief Rodolphe Haykal delivered his message to the country’s military personnel on Thursday in his order of the day, on the eve of Army Day, which will be celebrated Saturday, Aug. 1.
In his message, Haykal praised the “unity” prevailing within the ranks, as the army faces the crucial and delicate task of deploying in and disarming Hezbollah in the pilot zones established under the framework agreement reached between Lebanon and Israel in June.
He also said the army was “ready to deploy in all occupied areas after the Israeli withdrawal,” as Tel Aviv has sent several signals suggesting that its forces do not plan, in the short or medium term, to withdraw from any additional areas of the more than 600 square kilometers they have occupied since resuming their war against Hezbollah, amid the wider regional conflict between Washington and Tehran.
“The army is continuing its deployment in the south in accordance with current agreements, respecting national imperatives and constants. It continues to work to ensure a safe and secure return for our citizens to their villages and localities and stands ready to deploy in all occupied areas as the Israeli occupation forces withdraw. However, the occupation continues to multiply aggressions and violations to hinder the army’s efforts,” Haykal said.
The army chief also addressed the reinforcement of the Lebanese Army’s deployment along the border with Syria, where the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, overthrown by an Islamist coalition led by Ahmad al-Sharaa, was followed by significant unrest and uncertainty despite the diplomatic rapprochement between Lebanon and Syria in recent months. He also highlighted the army’s growing role in combating crime.
'Faithful to your oath'
“The challenges and dangers facing our country are only intensifying. Faithful to its commitment, the army continues to fulfill all its missions despite significant difficulties linked to the weakness of its resources, the magnitude of the tasks entrusted to it, and the sensitive circumstances. These range from monitoring the northern and eastern borders and watching the maritime borders and territorial waters to fighting terrorism, organized crime, drug trafficking and smuggling,” the commander-in-chief said.
“The strength of the army lies in your unity and in the support you receive from the Lebanese people. Our country will only recover with a strong, capable and united army, drawing its strength from your belief in your homeland. I therefore call on you to remain steadfast, faithful to your oath, and never hesitate to make every necessary sacrifice to defend Lebanon and its people,” he added.
The commander-in-chief has carried out a series of field inspections in recent days, traveling to southern Lebanon, including one of the pilot zones, as well as to northern Lebanon and the Bekaa.
A ceremony was also held at the Benoît Barakat Barracks in Tyre, led by Brigadier General Antoine Rizkallah.
MP and retired General Ashraf Rifi also issued a message to soldiers on the eve of the army’s 81st anniversary.
“The Lebanese Army will remain the bulwark of the nation and the guarantor of its unity, sovereignty and independence. We have full confidence that this national institution will continue to fulfill its mission of protecting the state and extending its authority over all Lebanese territory,” he said in a statement relayed by the state-run National News Agency.
“On this occasion, we reiterate that there can be no full and complete sovereignty without the monopoly of arms in the hands of the state, nor any lasting stability without a single national authority.”
