The Army Stands on Equal Basis With All Parties During Elections
Lebanese army Commander Jean Qahwaji said during a meeting with high military officers on Friday that the armed forces play an important role in defending the nation and maintaining its stability regardless of regional and international developments.
He added that the armed forces are to remain on equal distance with all Lebanese political parties at the June legislative elections.
Qahwaji said: "the basic principle for the military in maintaining security is to chase criminals and deal with security incidents…the army is the extended arm of the state, it is the protector of all Lebanese regions, sects and people."
He pointed the military successes of the army during the 2008 campaign at the Palestinian refugee camp of Nahr al Bared against Fatah al-Islam terrorists adding that terrorist elements targeting the military in Tripoli last summer were arrested "while our cooperation with a friendly and brotherly state continues in working on locating those that had escaped."
The military Commander called on the military to remain alert in the south and to employ all available energies in confronting any possible Israeli aggression, and not to allow any party to drag the military into a confrontation whose timing does not suit the nation.
"work is ongoing on developing the Lebanese military and its capabilities," Qahwaji said.