Qahwaji Urges Army to Confront Probable Israeli Attack
Army Commander Gen. Jean Qahwaji on Wednesday ordered troops on "maximum combat readiness to confront any probable Israeli aggression."
Talking to officers commanding army units deployed in the central Bekaa Valley, Qahwaji also said the army should be ready to "firmly confront threats targeting the nation”s security and freedom of citizens as well as their dignity."
The army, by performing its defensive and security roles, plays the major role in "safeguarding the nation”s unity and independence," he said.
The army commander pledged that threats by the "Israeli enemy”s leaders would not weaken the army”s determination and will to confront this enemy and thwart its plans with all available capabilities."
"The Bekaa would not be an easy route … for aggression against the Arab brethren," Qahwaji said in reference to neighboring Syria just to the east of the strategic valley.
He called for upgrading security arrangements in the Bekaa Valley to combat smuggling "on both sides of the Lebanese-Syrian border."