Baabda: President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, chaired a security meeting at Baabda Palace, attended by Lebanon's Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal, Director General of Internal Security Forces Raed Abdallah, Director General of General Security Major General Hassan Choucair, Director General of State Security Brigadier General Edgar Lawandos, Director General of Civil Defense Brigadier General Imad Khreish, Intelligence Chief Tony Kahwaji, head of the Information Branch at the Internal Security Forces Brigadier General Mahmoud Qobrosli, head of the Information Affairs Office at General Security Johnny Saysa, and Deputy Director General of State Security Brigadier General Murshid Suleiman.
According to National news agency - Lebanon, the meeting focused on the security situation in southern Lebanon, with a particular emphasis on the Nabatieh area. Security officials presented detailed reports on the situation, highlighting various aspects of concern.
During the meeting, President Aoun emphasized that any security vacuum in the south provides a pretext for attacks and constitutes an infringement on national sovereignty. He noted that the security deployment in Nabatieh is linked to the Lebanese state's commitments and its negotiating position in the file with Israel, as maintaining internal security strengthens Lebanon's official position.
The President also addressed the role of the army, describing it as the backbone of stability in the region. He noted that its work is coordinated and complementary to that of the other security agencies. He praised its role in protecting infrastructure, vital roads, and facilitating the return of residents to their towns.
President Aoun further stressed the importance of constant coordination among General Security, State Security, the Internal Security Forces, and Civil Defense to avoid duplication of efforts and overlapping jurisdictions. He highlighted the importance of regularly assessing the current situation and called on the security agencies to assume their responsibilities. He stressed that the security of Nabatieh and areas not under Israeli occupation is an integral part of the security of a unified Lebanon.