Military Takes Israeli Maneuvers Seriously, Ready to Confront Aggression
Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Jean Qahwaji said: "The military takes seriously and with great caution the Israeli military maneuvers mentioned by Hizbullah representative on [Tuesday”s] national dialogue session."
Qahwaji reiterated to the daily an-Nahar, the Lebanese military readiness in confronting any aggression adding that the army remains in contact on this issue with the political leadership.
He added that his recent trip to Washington was important, a first for Lebanon”s armed forces commander. Qahwaji said that he did not request added U.S. military aid, but indicated U.S. officials continued commitment in supporting the Lebanese military.
"Any U.S. military assistance to Lebanon should be unconditioned," Qahwaji said, adding that he assured his U.S. hosts that Lebanese military armor; equipment and arms would not fall into hands outside the Lebanese armed forces.
Regarding his recent visit to Egypt, Qahwaji said that talks focused on the importance of the Lebanese military”s role in extending legitimate state authority over all Lebanese territory. He denied news that he was asked by Washington and Cairo to disarm Hizbullah.
"Hizbullah is a continued resistance pending an end its cause," Qahwaji said.
The daily as-Safir quoted an unnamed U.S. state department official saying the United States has "mechanisms that guarantee Hizbullah would not obtain U.S. military aid given to the Lebanese armed forces."