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BEIRUT, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese President Michel Aoun hailed on Monday the Lebanese army for "gaining citizens' confidence and being their source of security and serenity."
He made the remarks in a televised address to the nation on the eve of Lebanon's Independence Day.
The president called for "immunizing independence," which means refraining from "seeking help from foreign forces to achieve partisan interests at the expense of the public interest."
He said the army has the ability to defend Lebanon's borders should its capabilities be boosted, adding that "enhancing national unity is a top necessity and priority."
He also called for "liberating civil servants from the culture of corruption."
Aoun was elected on Oct. 31 as the 13th president of Lebanon, ending two and half years of vacancy since the end of the six-year tenure of former president Michel Suleiman in 2014.
In addition to pledges of economic growth and security, Aoun said in his oath of office that Lebanon must work to ensure Syrian refugees "can return quickly" to their country.
He also pledged to endorse an "independent foreign policy" and to protect Lebanon from "the fires burning across the region."
