Peace from Saida: Sovereignty Can Only Be Restored by Building a Strong State

Prime Minister Najib Mikati visited the Bint Jbeil military base in Saida, accompanied by the Secretary-General of the Supreme Defense Council, Brigadier General Muhammad al-Mustafa, where he was welcomed by National Defense Minister Brigadier General Michel Maalouf, Chief of Staff Brigadier General Hassan Aoude, and Commander of the South Litani Sector Colonel General Nicolas Tabet.

Military honors were rendered to Prime Minister Mikati, who placed a floral wreath at the memorial monument for army martyrs before proceeding with his entourage to the office of the South Litani Sector Commander.

Subsequently, Prime Minister Mikati moved to the briefing hall, where a welcome speech was delivered by Colonel General Nicolas Tabet, Commander of the South Litani Sector, followed by remarks from National Defense Minister Brigadier General Michel Maalouf, then a speech by Prime Minister Dr. Najib Mikati, after which a briefing on the mission of the South Litani Sector was presented.

Prime Minister Najib Mikati stated:

"Mr. Minister,
Dear Officers,

I am honored to be among you today, here in Saida, at the heart of southern Lebanon;

this southern region that has paid the highest price through its sons, land, homes, and livelihoods.

I feel a special pride standing among the men and women of the Lebanese Army, who are now facing one of the most critical phases our nation has ever experienced, bearing a central responsibility in restoring the state’s full sovereignty and extending its authority across all its territories.

Dear military personnel,

The meaning of your presence here today in the south is not merely a military deployment;
it is the presence of the state.

Every location where the army is stationed is a place where the state reclaims its sovereignty, authority, and dignity. Every Lebanese flag raised above any army post is a symbol of the state’s legitimacy.

We want this south, as well as all of Lebanon, to be under the sole authority of the state; we want every Lebanese citizen to feel safe because they have an army protecting them; and we want the country to enjoy stability as the state and its constitutional institutions reclaim their power over war and peace.

Dear officers,

I fully understand the magnitude of the challenges you face,
and I recognize the heavy burdens you carry while Israeli attacks continue to threaten our cities, villages, homes, fields, and olive groves,

but I also know that sovereignty cannot be restored except by building a capable state; and a state cannot be capable without a single, strong army.

As our founding father and architect of our modern state, President Brigadier General Fuad Shihab, said on Independence Day in 1960: 'True independence is not taken or given—it is built.' Likewise, true sovereignty is not taken or given—it is built.

Following the same path laid down by the late great leader, who consistently referred to the 'book'—that is, the constitution—and whose firm belief was that the modern state is a state of institutions, the government of 'Reform and Rescue,' which I have the honor to lead, committed in its official statement to building a 'state faithful to the constitution and the National Reconciliation Document adopted in Taif,' and to carrying out the necessary reforms to strengthen state institutions and modernize their administration.

We remain steadfast in our pledge to achieve this, a government 'solidarity-based' as required by our constitution, as we emphasized in the very first sentence of the first paragraph of our official statement.

Therefore, strengthening the army is not a secondary item on our government’s agenda, nor is it a technical matter—it is a strategic choice at the core of our project to restore the state.

Thus, our government continues its work, mobilizing every possible Arab and international support to enhance the human capabilities of the army, modernize its equipment, and improve living and social conditions for its members.

But the strength of the Lebanese Army does not rest solely on its weapons, equipment, and numbers; it also lies in its unity.

The army is one of the few institutions where Lebanese people meet not as members of sects or regions, but as citizens of one nation.

In your ranks, a man from Saida stands beside a man from Mount Lebanon, a man from Aakkar beside a man from Nabatiye, and a man from Beirut beside a man from the Bekaa.

Your regions, families, and social affiliations may differ, but when you wear this uniform, your identity becomes one—Liberation’s identity.

Our country has known in its modern history how high the cost was when state institutions weakened and fractured, especially when the war that erupted in 1975 shattered the cohesion of the army.

Therefore, I say to you:

Preserve the unity of your institution,
do not allow political whims to divide you,
do not let sectarian hatred infiltrate your ranks,
and accept only the constitution and law as your reference.

Lebanese people may differ—they do differ in politics, and that is legitimate. They belong to multiple religious and sectarian communities, whether we like it or not. But if they wish to succeed in lifting the country from its decline and saving their homeland, they have no choice but to have one army, one flag, and one state.

Naturally, we could not stand today in a military base without bowing in reverence before the memory of the military institution’s martyrs,

those who sacrificed their lives and blood defending the homeland and the safety of its citizens,

before whose souls we bow in respect,

and to their families we say: your sons are not merely martyrs of the military institution, but martyrs of the entire nation.

The best tribute to our martyrs is not just raising their photos or remembering their names on occasions, but building for their children a strong state—where no one contests its authority on its soil, where no weapon surpasses that of its army, and where neither internal nor external will overrides the will of the people expressed through its constitutional institutions.

Dear officers,

Sovereignty we reclaim militarily must also be anchored economically, socially, and developmentally.

State return to the south is incomplete with the army’s presence alone—we are also working so that the state returns with schools, hospitals, roads, electricity, water, administration, judiciary, job opportunities, and reconstruction.

Dear officers,

I know words fall short in the face of what you endure, and no salute, however sincere, can match the sacrifices made by our soldiers as they fulfill their national duty.

But I came today to tell you on behalf of the government, and on behalf of every Lebanese who sees in you the guarantee of their nation: we are with you,
and we are committed to providing all the essentials for the success of your mission.

Allow me to conclude my speech where I began: from here, from Saida—the city of resilience, rich history, and openness to the sea and the world—I send our highest salute to our steadfast people in our beloved south, and I say to them:

Trust that your state is working around the clock, and that it will spare no effort to achieve the complete Israeli withdrawal from our lands, the release of all our prisoners, the safe and dignified return of our people to their cities and villages, and their reconstruction.

This is your right upon us, and this is our promise to you.

Honor to our martyrs,
Dignity to our army,

Live and long live Lebanon.

As for the speech of the National Defense Minister:

"Mr. President

Dear officers and loyal soldiers

We have come today, the Prime Minister and the Minister of National Defense, to the south—the land of resilience and fortress of dignity—to honor your courage, bow before your sacrifices, take pride in your profound patriotism, and jointly pay respect to the precious blood of our nation’s martyrs.

Our visit to the south today is not merely exploratory or for inspection of needs we already know well and strive to address and fulfill with all our strength, will, and resources. We are here today to reaffirm our firm stance and ongoing pursuit of restoring the state’s full sovereignty over all its territory, even the last inch of southern land, and achieving the complete withdrawal of the Israeli occupying army. This is the primary goal of Lebanon’s negotiations, as it represents the best and most viable path out of this tunnel and this destructive war.

We are here today, from this proud south, to reaffirm our commitment and determination to restore the state’s absolute authority over all its land, with no partner or rival in decisions regarding war and peace, and with the army being the sole guardian, shelter, and refuge for every Lebanese.

At this moment, we can only highlight and praise the government’s efforts, guided by Mr. President and supported by His Excellency the President, in supporting you and improving your conditions, raising the standard of services and benefits for your families—though this remains a small gesture compared to what you give. The sacrifices of the Lebanese Army, under its leadership and command, which performs its role with utmost integrity, competence, courage, and dedication despite extremely difficult circumstances and limited resources, are beyond measure.

The army has never been anything less than a symbol of dignity, valor, sacrifice, and loyalty, and has always served as a unifying force for all Lebanese and a safeguard of national unity and internal peace.

Whenever the Lebanese Army has taken on a mission, it has fulfilled it with precision, professionalism, and courage, undeterred by interference from here or pressure and sabotage from there.

And wherever we are in the south, in any part of Lebanon, we never forget the martyrs of the Lebanese Army who gave their lives, blood, and existence as offerings so that Lebanon remains noble and dignified, and so that our people remain proud of their legacy and name.

To our people in the south, we say: we share your pain and suffering, and our hearts will not rest until the entire south returns to Lebanon and every resident of the south returns to their land... We remain steadfast on our principles, entrusted with your cause, and you will return to your land and homes with heads held high—so be patient and steadfast, for the hour of truth is coming, by God’s will.

Live and long live the Lebanese Army

Long live Lebanon.

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Colonel General Nicolas Tabet, Commander of the South Litani Sector:

"Mr. President of the Council of Ministers,

Mr. Minister,

Respected Chief of Staff, Brigadier General,

Dear Officers and Distinguished Guests,

It is an honor for me, Colonel General Nicolas Tabet, Commander of the South Litani Sector, to welcome you on behalf of every family of the South Litani Sector in this cherished region of Lebanon, which is currently experiencing one of its most critical and difficult phases amid ongoing Israeli attacks and threats, leaving behind destruction and immense human suffering that have burdened our people in the south, who have paid a heavy price for their security, stability, and means of livelihood for years.

Under these exceptional circumstances, the Lebanese Army continues to fulfill its national duty with full responsibility and steadfastness, placing the safety of citizens, protection of land, and preservation of state sovereignty at the top of its priorities, despite the challenges of the field reality, the scale of difficulties, and the urgent needs.

Our presence here is not merely a military deployment; it is a manifestation of the state’s presence and its commitment to the people of the south, reflecting the army’s determination to fulfill its role in protecting the homeland and safeguarding its sovereignty, in cooperation with legitimate authorities and international forces operating in the region, serving Lebanon’s security and stability.

Mr. President, Mr. Minister, your visit today to the south carries for us a message of support and trust in the military institution, reflecting the state’s attention to the people of the south and their sacrifices.

While we highly appreciate the continuous support provided by the government to the Lebanese Army, we affirm to your Excellency that this support and trust serve as a source of strength and motivation for us to continue fulfilling our duties regardless of the circumstances and challenges.

Welcome to southern Lebanon, where the army, through the resolve of its leadership and the sacrifices of its officers and soldiers, remains steadfast in its position, faithful to its oath, and determined to keep the south a secure land for its people and an integral part of a sovereign and stable nation.

May God protect Lebanon, its army, and its people,

and welcome among your soldiers."