Joseph Aoun, President of Lebanon, welcomed progress in the preparatory talks for the Paris meeting for a conference to support the Lebanese army and internal security forces, and thanked France and Jordan for their efforts, as well as the participation of various countries and international organizations.

Aoun expressed hope that friendly countries and international institutions would respond to the needs of Lebanon’s army and internal security forces so that the capabilities of these two institutions can be strengthened.

He also emphasized protecting Lebanon’s sovereignty and national dignity and “the monopoly of weapons in the hands of the Lebanese state and not any other party,” and said that the army has a pivotal role in expanding the state’s sovereignty across all Lebanese territory, especially in the south after its liberation.