Lebanon's president: Only the army can defend the nation, no legitimacy for arms outside the state

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated that "there is no legitimacy for any weapons outside the authority of the state, and Lebanon can only be protected by its national army."

Aoun made the remarks while congratulating the Lebanese Armed Forces on Army Day, marked on August 1, describing the army as the sole guarantor of Lebanon’s unity, sovereignty, and independence, according to the National News Agency.

He continued: "There is no legitimacy for any weapons outside the authority of the state, and there is no protection for this nation except through its unified national army, which represents all Lebanese regardless of region, sect, or affiliation. The army alone holds the authority, power, and legitimacy to serve as the state’s exclusive military arm. We are working toward this goal with determination and persistence, step by step, to safeguard coexistence and national stability."

Aoun added: "Our army in the south has written remarkable chapters of sacrifice and resilience. Today, the army’s responsibility grows with every step of Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory. The next phase requires full deployment of military units along the entire southern border and exclusive extension of state authority over its land, demonstrating to the world that Lebanon, through its army alone, is capable of protecting its sovereignty and securing this sensitive region, paving the way for the safe return of residents to their villages and towns."

These statements come amid a political crisis in Lebanon due to the actions of Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran and continues to operate militarily outside the framework of the Lebanese state. As Lebanon continues negotiations with Israel, the government insists that arms remain exclusively under state control to spare the country from chaos.