Suleiman: Army Unity Deeper Than Ever

Army Commander Gen. Michel Suleiman said the force unity is deeper than ever, stressing that neutrality regarding political differences doesn”t mean hampering the army”s mission of maintaining law and order.

Suleiman held three days of meetings with commanders of major military units at his headquarters in suburban Yarze, east of Beirut.

 

He told the officers that “the army”s unity is the real guarantee for maintaining the nation”s unity, its security and stability.

“This unity is now deeper and stronger after it had been baptized by the blood of martyrs and the sweat of troops through the most difficult and toughest experiences,” the general said.

 

He noted that the army has a “national assignment” to protect the nation and the people.

Suleiman recalled that the army has succeeded in providing security for the mass demonstrations that followed the Feb. 14, 2005 assassination of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri and in filling in the vacuum resulting from the withdrawal of the Syrian army.

 

One of the army”s accomplishments sited by Suleiman was “the joint resistance with the people against the Israeli aggression in July 2006” in addition to deploying along the southern borders and preventing the outbreak of internal feud during disturbances in January 2007.

 

“What has been accomplished during all those stages was the outcome of this relationship that should persist, irrespective of political complications … for it is the only way to salvage the nation,” he added.

 

Suleiman expressed “full confidence” in the military judiciary, noting that investigations carried out by the army in recent riots are “serious and transparent and prove commitment of the military establishment to accountability.”

 

He noted that a recent rotation of units was a “mere internal measure within the military establishment and has no political motives