Joseph Aoun

UK’s Defense Senior Advisor Reaffirms Lebanese Armed Forces as the Sole Legitimate Defender of Lebanon

The British Embassy announced in a statement on Thursday that Vice Admiral Edward Ahlgren, Senior Advisor for the UK Ministry of Defense for the Middle East and North Africa, met with senior Lebanese and UN officials. During these discussions, he reiterated the UK's urgent call for an immediate ceasefire and emphasized the necessity of a political ...

Independence Day: Joseph Aoun Pays Tribute to the Lebanese Armed Forces

As Lebanon commemorates its eighty-first Independence Day in the face of ongoing conflicts and external threats, the Lebanese military forces stand as a pillar of strength, defending the nation's sovereignty and protecting its citizens. Despite facing immense odds, the military remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding peace and stability ...

Egyptian FM Calls for Unconditional Ceasefire in Lebanon

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aati underlined upon his arrival in Beirut on Wednesday, his country’s full alignment with Lebanon’s demand for an immediate ceasefire and an unconditional end to Israel’s incessant attacks against Lebanon. “Egypt’s mission is to mobilize international and Arab partners to press for an immediate ...

Army Commander Gen. Joseph Aoun, ‘Man of the Hour’

Amid the ongoing war between Hezbollah and Israel, and to ensure Lebanon's internal security without any unnecessary debate, one undeniable truth stands out: renewing Army Commander General Joseph Aoun’s term is a national necessity that should not be contested. Failing to do so risks creating a leadership vacuum in the army and security ...

Maronite Patriarch Urges Extension of Army Commander's Term, Calls for Ensuring Academic Year

Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai emphasized the “absolute necessity to extend the term of the Army Commander (General Joseph Aoun) due to the current exceptional circumstances,” in accordance with the best interests of the country at this time. Rai pointed out that this step is essential because of “the three-year-long presidential vacancy, ...

Will General Joseph Aoun’s Mandate Be Extended Again?

With only two months left until the expiration of Army Commander-in-Chief General Joseph Aoun's mandate, the same question that surfaced at the end of 2023 is once again looming: can Lebanon avoid a vacancy at the helm of its military, the sole fully operational institution in a country where others remain paralyzed amid a profound security, ...

The Army Is the Ultimate Solution…

First, I want to clarify that the title of this article is inspired by a controversial book authored by retired Brigadier General Fouad Aoun. Released without a designated publisher or date toward the end of President Amine Gemayel’s term (1982-1988), the book aimed to promote the idea of “Michel Aoun or no one.” It provided a justification ...

The Lebanese Army and UNIFIL Caught in Friendly Fire

The campaign against Army Chief General Joseph Aoun and the Lebanese Army has intensified, particularly among Hezbollah supporters and some of its political leaders. The recent Israeli raid on Batroun, which led to the abduction of Imad Amhaz, has provided further grounds for these groups to criticize the army, claiming it is unable to protect ...

Sleem Ratifies Entrance Exam Results for Military Academy

Caretaker Minister of Defense Maurice Sleem ratified the results of the military academy entrance exams on Tuesday. This decision affects 200 candidates now admitted as officer cadets in the army and the general directorates of the Internal Security Forces, General Security, State Security and Customs. Additionally, Sleem signed a draft decree ...

Gebran: Give Back the Missile!

In challenging times, men are put to the test. Gebran Bassil didn’t even wait for the customary forty days after Hassan Nasrallah’s death to turn against him. He abandoned the man who was instrumental in General Michel Aoun’s rise to the presidency—the one who supported him significantly after the July war, sacrificing greatly for the Free ...

Hochstein's Proposal: A Beacon of Hope or a Harbinger of Diplomatic Failure?

On Monday, the US special envoy visited Beirut as part of yet another diplomatic initiative aimed at reinforcing stability in Lebanon amid heightened tensions on the southern border with Israel. American demands—ranging from the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 to separating Lebanon's situation from the war in ...