Defense Minister Elias Murr on Thursday conveyed a message to the army reassuring officers and soldiers that the military will remain a neutral establishment as Lebanon prepares for the June 7 polls.
Murr was speaking during military maneuvers in Roumieh prison in the presence of top army officers.
"I am here today to convey a message to army officers and (soldiers) … the media has been promoting campaigns and banners used by all sides.
"But the military establishment is unconcerned with this, because it is the only entity that has maintained an equal distance from all (parties) throughout its history," he said.
He said the elections will last for one day and on June 8 the army will continue to be the "solution for all the Lebanese" regardless of the results.
Murr said his decision not to run in the elections was prompted by a desire not give way to claims that he might "drag the military toward a political choice, whatever that choice may be."
"I am honored to throw away a seat in Parliament when I am faced with the army”s sacrifices during all the stages that followed the last Israeli aggression up until the Bekaa incident," he added.
He was referring to a deadly ambush on an army convoy in Bekaa that claimed the lives of three soldiers.