The voices calling for a return to national military service

Few national policies have generated as much debate in Lebanon as compulsory military service. Suspended in 2007, conscription has continuously returned to public discussion, particularly during periods of heightened security challenges and renewed calls to strengthen state institutions.

As discussions over its possible reintroduction have resurfaced, the experiences of former individuals who have undergone military service and the perspectives of young Lebanese offer valuable insight into what compulsory service could contribute to the country’s future.

How conscription shaped Nabil Samaha

Among those who experienced military service firsthand is Nabil Samaha, whose reflections illustrate many of the arguments advanced by supporters of conscription.

He stressed the discipline instilled through military life. The structured environment, respect for rules, punctuality, teamwork, and accountability became qualities that continued to influence him long after completing his service. In his view, these lessons proved valuable both professionally and personally, shaping how he interacted with others and approached responsibilities in civilian life.

Another lasting impact, he explained, was developing a greater appreciation for the sacrifices made by members of the Lebanese Army. Experiencing military life firsthand allowed him to better understand the physical and emotional demands placed upon soldiers, including extended periods away from their families and the responsibilities associated with protecting the country. As a result, he said he developed a deeper respect for military personnel and their role in society.

You develop a greater appreciation for the soldier standing on the road because you understand what he has gone through.

Samaha strongly rejected the notion that compulsory service offers little value. He argued that the benefits largely depend on the individual’s willingness to learn and engage with the experience. While acknowledging that some view military service as a lost year, he believed participants gain practical life skills, maturity, discipline, and lasting relationships that compensate for the time invested.

If a person decides beforehand that they will gain nothing from the experience, then they will not benefit from it. But those who approach it positively can gain a lot.

Having completed one year of mandatory service before its suspension, Samaha described the experience as overwhelmingly positive despite acknowledging the personal sacrifice of dedicating a year of one’s life to military service.

For him, one of the greatest benefits was the opportunity to meet Lebanese from every region and every religious community. Rather than remaining socially confined to one’s hometown or immediate environment, military service created daily interaction with individuals from diverse backgrounds. According to Samaha, this exposure broadened his understanding of Lebanese society while reinforcing the importance of coexistence and national solidarity.

You are no longer only surrounded by the people from your own region; you discover Lebanon through the people you serve with.

Importantly, Samaha also highlighted the practical limitations of conscription. He stressed that short-term conscripts should not replace professional soldiers in highly sensitive combat positions. Given the limited duration of their training, he believed conscripts should instead be assigned roles that match their capabilities and provide meaningful support to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) without compromising operational effectiveness.

Nevertheless, regarding the possible return of compulsory service, Samaha openly encouraged young Lebanese to embrace the experience. He even suggested reconsidering the terminology itself, arguing that the expression “compulsory military service” may create unnecessary resistance because of its negative connotation. Presenting the program instead as a form of national service or civic duty, he believed, could improve public perception while preserving its objectives.

Emmanuel Elias on building citizenship before wearing the uniform

While supporting the principle of compulsory military service, Emmanuel Elias, a young active Lebanese citizen, argued that its success ultimately depends on the relationship it fosters between citizens and the state.

According to Elias, military service has the potential to become one of the most important instruments for building genuine citizenship in Lebanon. Rather than reinforcing sectarian loyalties or external political agendas, it could help cultivate loyalty to the Lebanese state itself and strengthen young people’s sense of belonging to a common national project.

However, Elias cautioned that compulsory service cannot achieve these objectives alone. He argued that meaningful military service requires credible state institutions capable of inspiring public confidence. He contends that

We cannot ask young people to learn respect for legitimate authority if the institution training them treats that authority as optional.

For this reason, Elias considered institutional reform within the LAF an essential prerequisite for any future conscription program. In his view, the LAF must operate in full accordance with the decisions of Lebanon’s constitutional institutions, including the government and the President of the Republic, ensuring that military authority remains firmly anchored within the state’s legal framework.

He further argues that the effectiveness of compulsory military service should not be measured simply by the number of recruits completing training. Instead, its true success lies in whether participants emerge with a stronger commitment to Lebanon, greater confidence in state institutions, and a belief that the rule of law applies equally to every citizen and every public institution.

Military service should not only be measured by how many young people wear a uniform, but by whether they leave with a stronger commitment to their country.

If Lebanon chooses to revisit compulsory military service, its design will likely determine its success. A modern program focused on civic responsibility, national unity, professional training, and respect for democratic institutions could contribute to rebuilding trust between young Lebanese and their state and transforming military service into an investment in national cohesion, responsible citizenship, and the long-term resilience of the Lebanese Republic.