Lebanon's army chief urged his soldiers on Tuesday to stand fully ready at the southern border to face the "threats of the Israeli enemy".
General Joseph Aoun also called on the troops to stay vigilant for the "good implementation" of UN resolution 1701 to "preserve stability" at the border with Israel.
The "cessation of hostilities" resolution ended a destructive war in 2006 between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah, the Iran-backed military and political movement. The two sides have since avoided a major conflict.
"I call upon you for full readiness at the southern border to face the threats of the Israeli enemy and its violations, and what it is indicating in aggressive intentions towards Lebanon, its people and its army," the army's Twitter account quoted Aoun as saying.
"The exceptional political situation that Lebanon is going through requires you to exercise the highest levels of awareness and vigilance," Aoun was quoted as saying.
On the occasion of 74th Independence Day, General Aoun called upon the soldiers “to continue launching preemptive operations targeting terrorist cells until they are able to arrest every perpetrator who committed crimes against the Lebanese Army and the Lebanese people and to turn them in to the relevant judiciary authorities so that they may receive the appropriate retribution.”
“I urge you to deal firmly with outlaws and perpetrators committing organized crimes and assaulting the citizens; and to be unyielding and resilient in countering any attempt to take advantage of the recent circumstances with the aim of stirring tumult, separation and chaos and jeopardizing our unity, national safety and the interests of the Lebanese,” he continued.
REUTERS/LBCI