Army Vows to Uproot Terror on 1st Anniversary of Hajj”s Killing
The Lebanese army on Sunday vowed to continue its fight against terrorism as it marked the first anniversary of Maj. Gen. Francois Hajj”s assassination.
The army insists on "tearing out the malignant roots of terrorism wherever they were found," the army command said.
A mass service was held in Hajj”s memory in his hometown of Rmeish in south Lebanon.
"The day will come when the killers will be uncovered and put on trial," said Brig. Gen. Panos Manoujian who represented Defense Minister Elias Murr and Army chief Gen. Jean Qahwaji at the mass.
"Terrorists thought that by killing one of the pillars of the military institution, they could confuse the army and hinder its national role. However, the military tree is more solid and much higher with the martyr”s blood," he said.
Hajj, the army”s chief of operations, was killed in a car bombing in Beirut”s suburb of Baabda Dec. 12, 2007.
His son Elie spoke at the service on behalf of the family, calling on the state to expose the killers and bring them to justice.
"The country strongly embraces the president, who is moving the country towards safety, lead by chief of the armed forces Gen. Jean Qahwaji, and all the leaderships loyal to Lebanon," he said.
He said all officials should work on preserving the country by supporting and equipping the military institution.
Lebanon”s first lady Wafaa Suleiman represented the president at the mass which was attended by political, military, diplomatic and religious figures.