(KPL) President Thongloun Sisoulith met and gave advice the leaders of the Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Public Security in Vientiane, on September 22.

The President issued the instructions at a meeting attended by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, General Chansamone Chanyalath, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Security, General Vilay Lakhamfong.

General Chansamone outlined the ministry’s efforts to build a political foundation for comprehensive rural development by building the capacity of the Party and people to improve the national defence and peace network, according to Vientianetimes report.

More attention has been paid to building political foundations for rural development, especially in target areas around the country, as well as resolving issues that could lead to unrest, he said.

This has been done by coordinating with stakeholders to strengthen work at the grassroots level and quell dissidents.

Provincial military and police commands have assisted people affected by flooding.

More has been done to improve the living conditions of military and security personnel, in order to boost morale, self-reliance and strength. This includes support for the raising of livestock, to add to the income of military personnel.

President Thongloun praised the successful work undertaken by the two ministries, saying that the army and security forces were well placed to continue to ensure political stability.

He advised the two ministries to uphold the peace of the whole people in a comprehensive way, to build a stronger political foundation for comprehensive rural development, and to resolutely block all tactics by hostile forces.

The nation’s fighting forces must be strong and firm and loyal to the Party and state, and to all Lao people, so that they engender trust among members of the public.

Political duties should achieve better results and the defence and peace protection forces should raise their standards to create modern and efficient defence and security forces that are always vigilant and aware of the need to uphold the policies of the Party and state, and preserve the fruits of the revolution.

It is the duty of military and security forces to protect the new democratic people’s regime and ensure stability, and maintain close coordination in the shared work of national defence and peacekeeping, as well as economic and social development.

The President also instructed military and security personnel to improve their command and control systems based on political ideals, while also strengthening their technical skills and ability to innovate and take command.

Local forces operating at the grassroots level should undergo more training in national defence and peacekeeping to enable them to perform their duties in protecting their local areas, he said.

Security forces should also be aware of the foreign policies of other countries and bolster cooperation, as well as benefit from assistance provided by friendly countries and the international community.

In particular, all-round cooperation should be increased with the Vietnam People’s Army and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.

Finally, the President called for closer cooperation with brotherly socialist countries and other friendly nations that are making good progress, in order to strengthen the development of Laos’ military and security forces so they reach new heights of modernisation and efficiency.

KPL