President Joseph Aoun congratulated General Security Director General Major General Hassan Choucair, officers, non-commissioned officers, employees, and personnel on the 81st anniversary of the founding of General Security, expressing his pride in the history of this venerable security institution, which is full of sacrifices and dedication to safeguarding the nation's security, protecting its stability, securing its borders, and serving citizens and residents with utmost honesty and responsibility. President Aoun said: "This occasion comes as Lebanon passes through a delicate and exceptional stage in its history, in which economic, social, and security challenges intertwine, placing state institutions before a test of resilience and readiness." He continued: Amidst these harsh circumstances, the General Security Directorate has proven to be a safety valve and a fundamental pillar of national stability, as its personnel have continued to perform their national, logistical, and security missions with high efficiency and steadfastness that has not broken in the face of crises. He pointed out that the reliance is increasing on General Security and all military and security institutions, and it is a reliance on the survival of the state and the concept of the law. Aoun indicated that General Security is the first line of defense for society's security, the watchful eye on the nation's sovereignty, and the mirror that reflects Lebanon's civilized and institutional face in order to protect national security by maintaining readiness to confront security dangers and threats, combating terrorism and organized crime in all its forms, consolidating the rule of law by applying laws with firmness and justice, securing services for all with transparency and discipline, safeguarding internal cohesion by preserving citizen security and institutional stability, and overcoming livelihood difficulties with will and due commitment. He affirmed that the current economic and financial crisis suffered by General Security personnel, like their comrades in the military and security institutions and all Lebanese, is being addressed by the government with a strong will, serious institutional work, and the concerted efforts of everyone to restore recovery and build a better tomorrow.