Independence Movement leader Michel Moawad attended Sunday the Lebanese Army’s anniversary celebration in Toula town.

The ceremony, which was attended by representatives of Lebanon’s top security institutions, was held under the patronage of Lebanese Army Commander Jean Qahwaji.

Brigadiers Rene Moawad, Ali Hazimeh, Joseph Obeid, George Karaa and Khaled Al Mardali participated in the ceremony, representing respectively Kahwaji, Internal Security Forces Director Ibrahim Basbous, General Security Director Abbas Ibrahim and State Security Director George Karaa.

In her opening speech, Toula Mayor Eliane Younis hailed the Lebanese Army’s determination to defend Lebanon’s sovereignty and independence.

Younis also stressed the importance of restricting the possession of weapons to the Lebanese Armed Forces particularly given the dangers facing Lebanon today.

“Firestorms are surrounding Lebanon and we believe that only the Lebanese state through its legitimate institutions, particularly the Lebanese Army, which should have monopoly over the possession of weapons, can protect us,” she said.