Reconciliation and dialogue best response to Aridi assassination
Army Commander Jean Kahwaji said that the assassination of Lebanese Democratic Party official Sheikh Saleh Aridi was a “blood-soaked message” to all the Lebanese. “Accordingly, their response must be up to the level of the danger.” He stressed on “unity, dialogue, reconciliation, security and peace.”
In an interview with As-Safir on Friday, he said that he was aware of the pain of the Lebanese people and the army’s soldiers. “I hope to live up to their expectations,” he told the paper. Kahwaji added that the army did not need anyone’s pity, and it was time to look at soldiers’ pay, medical care, compensations, transportation means and weapons.
Kahwaji also said it was time to revive the military institution and set it as the priority in discussions of the state’s financial policies, adding that the army would not shun its responsibilities. He said that he would not spare any effort to strengthen the army in its numbers, equipment and training, which he said would benefit all Lebanese.