Minister of National Defense Michel Mansi issued the following statement: “I apologize, oh families of the martyrs, oh you who gave the homeland the lives of your loved ones, I apologize because I stood in front of your pain, and I did not have anything equivalent to the greatness of the sacrifices. I apologize because the blood of your children is a trust on our necks. Because I could not protect their rights as they deserved, I could not raise the voice of the army when it should have been heard. There was silence in the House of Representatives. The voice of the martyrs alone remained loud within me. I apologize even though an apology does not bring back a martyr. He does not wipe away a mother's tear, He does not fill the place of a father, brother, or son who passed away while performing his duty. I apologize because, regardless of my position, Today I feel like I let you down, But I promise you: May the blood of the martyrs remain in my conscience, And that the army remains in my voice and position, And to defend his right to speak, Your sons also defended Lebanon with their lives. I apologize to you... not for fear of your reproach. Rather, out of respect for the blood of your children. I apologize, because I saw how voices gathered around the voice of the army, How did the positions come together when what was required was to be protected, not besieged? I saw those who were prejudiced against the institution that carried the nation's burdens. I saw those who supported her when they wanted to silence her. As if the voice of the army had become a burden, It is as if the blood of the martyrs has become a detail in some people’s calculations. I apologize, because I could not say in front of you what should have been said. And to raise the voice of the institution that has never lowered its voice in the face of danger. Yesterday the army was prevented from speaking. But the blood of his martyrs did not prevent me from speaking on my conscience. Let those who ignore the army know, The army is not a party to a dispute, No paper is used or thrown away. The army is the last thing that remains of this country’s trust. And his sons who fell as martyrs They did not ask Lebanon at that time: To whom do we belong? Rather, they asked: How do we protect him? I apologize to the martyrs before their families. Because I could not make their voice heard as their blood deserved. But I count them: Silence will not be a destiny, Yesterday's disappointment will not be the end of the story.