Lebanese army's diversity strengthens national unity

The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) is a microcosm of the country, which is known for its religious and cultural diversity, as it unites soldiers from all backgrounds under the national flag, members of the military said.

In a country that has witnessed sectarian and political divisions that occasionally threaten its civil peace, this diversity in the military is helping to alleviate such tensions, as the army enjoys widespread public trust and support, they said.

"The Lebanese army, which numbers over 70,000 soldiers, is a microcosm of Lebanon's cultural, religious and denominational diversity," a military source in the Lebanese Army Command told Al-Mashareq.

Troops of all religious and cultural affiliations share sleeping quarters and food and face the same dangers standing shoulder to shoulder, he said, adding that this kind of co-existence embodies Lebanon’s true image.

The patriotism soldiers experience in the military carries over to their personal lives and their families and communities, he said, and this helps to reduce sectarian strife in society at large.

The composition of army brigades reinforces this diversity, he added, as they are made up of soldiers of all affiliations, who are united in a common cause.

Army Commander Gen. Joseph Aoun "always reiterates that the Lebanese people are a key partner of the army in the fight against terrorism", he said, pointing in particular to the co-operation during 2017's Operation Fajr al-Juroud.

Multi-confessional society

The Lebanese army draws its personnel from society at large, which is religiously, culturally and socially diverse, said Brig. Gen. Richard Dagher, who is retired from the Lebanese military.

The military leadership has always made an effort to absorb and embrace this diversity and infuse it in a unified national melting pot, he told Al-Mashareq.

By transcending narrow sectarian affiliations, he added, the military institution is able to deal with challenges and crises "with a national spirit that is free of fragmentation and factionalism".

The army "enjoys the trust and support of the Lebanese people of all persuasions, because it is responsible for protecting and defending stability", he added.

The country's military "represents Lebanese society across all walks of life, social classes and confessional, denominational and regional affiliations", Brig. Gen. Hisham Jaber told Al-Mashareq.

"The Muslim and Christian inhabitants of villages and towns in the Bekaa, the north and the south, and everywhere else in Lebanon, have and share the same customs and traditions," he said.

"The military establishment is a school of nationalism. Its officers and soldiers are from all social and educational backgrounds, rich and poor alike, and its composition represents a microcosm of Lebanon," he added.