Berri says Lebanese pinning their hopes on army

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Thursday hailed the Lebanese Army on the 80th anniversary of its founding.

“Eighty years have passed since the creation of this unifying national institution and it still baptizing our holidays with loyalty, safeguarding sovereignty through great sacrifices, and protecting unity with the honor of belonging," Berri said in a statement.

He added: "I salute with pride and appreciation the Lebanese Army with its command, officers, non-commissioned officers, soldiers, martyrs and wounded. It is the bet and focus of the Lebanese people's hopes for security, safety, defending the land and people, and creating Lebanon's revival."

Berri’s remarks come after President Joseph Aoun said that “nothing represents a guarantee more than the army's weapons in the face of aggression.”

“Let us all stand behind the army, for experience has proven that its weapons are the most powerful, its leadership is the most reliable, and loyalty to it is the firmest,” Aoun added.

He accordingly called on Hezbollah and its “environment” to "bet on the Lebanese state alone," saying he "will not be lenient with those not concerned with rescuing the country" or those who "don't care" for it.