President Aoun Visits Security and Military Institutions, Emphasizes Anti-Corruption and National Unity

Beirut: President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, carried out a series of high-level security and military visits on Tuesday, beginning with a stop at the General Directorate of State Security headquarters in Ramlet al-Baida, where he met with Director General Major General Edgar Lawandos and senior officers. According to National News Agency - Lebanon, President Aoun addressed the officers of State Security, emphasizing that their primary mission was to combat corruption, which he described as the root cause of Lebanon's economic crisis and the suffering of its people. He stated there would be no tolerance for the corrupt and no protection for any violator, urging officers to resist any form of political pressure. President Aoun then proceeded to the Ministry of Defense, where he met with Minister of National Defense, Major General Michel Mansa. The two officials moved to the office of Army Commander, General Rodolphe Haykal, where a meeting was held. The President extended his condolences to both th e Minister and the Army Commander for the martyrdom of First Sergeant Fadi al-Jassem, who was killed the previous day in an explosion caused by a suspicious object in Wadi al-Azziyeh, Tyre. In a message to the Army Commander and members of the Military Council, President Aoun affirmed the sacrifices of the Lebanese Army, stating that the army has paid, and continues to pay, the price in blood to safeguard Lebanon's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. He urged them to remain united in heart and hand, as the Lebanese people are counting on them.