The Commander of the Lebanese Army, General Joseph Aoun, warned against any security incidents or suspicious movements, and stressed that the army would not allow the presidential vacancy to be exploited, and would prevent any breach of security.
In a meeting with senior officers and members of the Military Council, Aoun indicated that "the presidential vacancy phase, amid political strife between the parties, may be accompanied by attempts to exploit the situation with the aim of compromising security."
Aoun stressed that "the army is not at all concerned with these interactions, and does not take sides with any party or party, but what it is concerned with in the first place is the maintenance of stability and civil peace."
He said, "We will not allow the situation to be exploited and our country to turn into an open arena for any security incidents or suspicious movements. It is forbidden to disturb security, because it is one of the basic constants of the army and will remain so."
Aoun called on "the stakeholders to be responsible in order to preserve the public interest."
He added, "The security situation is under control, and protecting Lebanon is our responsibility. We have not previously accepted any prejudice to security and stability, and we will not accept it today."
Source: agencies