Latest news with #MichelMnassa
LBCI
11 hours ago
- Politics
- LBCI
President Aoun offers condolences in Yarze for Wadi Zibqin victims, visits wounded soldier
President Joseph Aoun visited Defense Minister Michel Mnassa and Army Commander Rodolph Haykal in Yarze to offer condolences for the soldiers killed in the Wadi Zibqin incident. He then went to Geitaoui Hospital, where he was briefed on the condition of one of the wounded soldiers. The president met with the medical team and the soldier's family, wishing him a speedy recovery and assuring him that he will receive the highest level of care until his full recovery.
LBCI
2 days ago
- Politics
- LBCI
Defense Minister offers condolences after soldiers killed in South Lebanon
Lebanese Defense Minister Michel Mnassa called Chief of Staff Major General Hassan Audi to offer condolences over the deaths of several soldiers and the wounding of others while carrying out their duties. The minister praised the dedication of the army's officers and soldiers in defending Lebanon's land and people, saying the fallen had joined their comrades who had "watered the soil of the south with their pure blood."
LBCI
25-07-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Lebanon and Turkey discuss military cooperation in Istanbul meeting
Lebanon's Defense Minister, General Michel Mnassa, visited Istanbul at the invitation of his Turkish counterpart, Yaşar Güler, where the two officials held a bilateral meeting focused on strengthening military cooperation between the two countries. According to a statement from the Lebanese Defense Ministry's media office, the talks emphasized the importance of exchanging expertise and advancing defense ties in line with shared interests. The visit was described as a key step in Lebanon's efforts to engage with international military experiences and enhance the capabilities of the Lebanese Armed Forces. The ministry added that this initiative reflects the Defense Ministry's commitment to staying informed on global developments in the defense sector, especially amid ongoing regional security challenges.
LBCI
24-06-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
UNIFIL changes command amidst tensions in South Lebanon
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) held a change of command ceremony on Tuesday at its headquarters in Naqoura, as outgoing Spanish Commander Major General Aroldo Lázaro handed over authority to incoming Italian Major General Diodato Abagnara. The event unfolded against a backdrop of heightened tensions, with the sounds of interceptor missiles and the overhead presence of Israeli drones. Following a military parade by participating UNIFIL units, Lebanese Defense Minister Michel Mnassa laid a wreath on behalf of the Lebanese government at the monument dedicated to UNIFIL casualties. Outgoing Major General Lázaro addressed the gathering, reflecting on UNIFIL's mission and its support for the Lebanese Army south of the Litani River. He emphasized the force's role in implementing U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 and achieving stability, underscoring the continued necessity of UNIFIL's presence. The new commander, Major General Abagnara, then spoke, extending his gratitude to his predecessor for his wise leadership. "We must strengthen stability and work towards the implementation of international Resolution 1701," he stated. "For this reason, we must continue to enhance stability and international coordination and translate dialogue into concrete action. Recognizing the importance of stability is not enough; we must work tirelessly to build it day by day." He added, "We gather at a time of significant transformations in the operational and political landscape. Today's ceremony goes beyond a mere formal transfer of command; it reaffirms UNIFIL's vital role as a force for stability after the renewed hostilities."
LBCI
10-06-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Lebanon and UNIFIL sign Memorandum of Understanding to support army needs
The National Defense Ministry, represented by Minister Michel Mnassa, and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), represented by its commander, Major General Aroldo Lázaro, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the participation and support of the French government. A ceremony was held in Yarzeh in the presence of Army Commander Rodolph Haykal and First Counselor Bruno Barrera da Silva, representing the French Ambassador to Lebanon Hervé Magro. The memorandum aims to provide a donation designated to meet the needs of the Lebanese Armed Forces in the areas of fuel and food supplies. Minister Mnassa stressed the importance of UNIFIL's continued mission, expressing hope that its mandate would be renewed in August without any obstacles. He emphasized that "the presence of UNIFIL in Lebanon for decades has never been a temporary choice, but rather a permanent need and an urgent necessity, especially given the sensitive circumstances in the region and the repeated threats to Lebanese sovereignty." He added, "The generous donation we are signing today, designated to support the army's needs in fuel and nutrition, holds importance for two reasons: first, due to its vital nature in these difficult economic conditions."
