Qahwaji Says War on Terrorism Open, Warns of Harboring Terrorists
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji stressed on Monday that the battle against terrorism and terrorists is open, expressing relief over the measures implemented along the Syrian-Lebanese border.
“Terrorism threatens all the Lebanese without any exception,” Qahwaji pointed out in comments published in As Safir newspaper.
He noted that the army will not be lenient with terrorist groups or those who are harboring them.
Hizbullah-dominated areas have been the main focus of attacks claimed by radical Sunni groups, the army has also been targeted.
Extremist Sunnis see the army as siding with Hizbullah in escalating Syria-related violence in Lebanon.
The party says its involvement in Syria is aimed at safeguarding Lebanon from "terror", but its Lebanese opponents say the Hizbullah presence there has caused jihadists to attack the country.
Concerning the situation along the Lebanese-Syrian border, Qahwaji told the daily that any assault against the army targets the country's civil peace, therefore the military will not stand watching.
The army and security forces tasked to control the border, upped security measures along the northern border with Syria starting from al-Arida crossing stretching to Wadi Khaled all the way along the Kabir river.
Since the Syrian crisis broke out in March 2011, several border areas in the north and east have been frequently struck by cross-border shelling, while the Syrian regime has told Lebanon to better control its porous border to prevent the smuggling of fighters and arms.
“The army didn't and will not hesitate to protect the residents (of the northern city) of Tripoli without any exception,” the army chief said, adding that a military-security-development plan should be established.
He also called for the end of the sectarian rhetoric.
Tripoli has been the scene of chronic sectarian fighting since the war in Syria erupted three years ago, with gunmen from the Sunni district of Bab al-Tabbaneh battling fighters in the Alawite neighborhood of Jabal Mohsen.
According to As Safir the army will request the recruiting of around 5,000 soldier simultaneously with the Saudi grant to the military institution.
Lebanon is negotiating with France a grant by Saudi Arabia to the Lebanese Armed Forces after President Michel Suleiman had revealed in late December that Saudi Arabia has decided to donate three billion dollars with the aim of purchasing French weapons for the Lebanese army as soon as possible.
24 March 2014, 08:11
14
Is it possible that poverty,no education and no prospects for better life,in combination with corrupt politicians, people can be inclined to choose the wrong path?
24 March 2014, 18:07
13
Well Disclosure, I was at work, you know...a job? PS I support the army 100% and ONLY the army. So "mate" wake up, anything to boost the ego today huh?
24 March 2014, 18:10
13
And honestly? I think you'd be thumbed down not by me (too bad) but because of your double standards, cheers.
24 March 2014, 10:15
76
neither the guts nor the will, the guy wants to be president...
24 March 2014, 11:17
36
I'm going to assume that he does have the guts and the will, cedre. The decision to do that is not something Qahwaji decides anyway. Also, do you honestly think that the LAF in Lebanon is capable of confronting Hizbullah militarily? First thing that will happen is that the army will split and that needs no explanation. Not only that, but the army is less equipped and has less of a will to engage in an open ended war that would lead to nothing but disasters and death to all.
The issue with Hizbullah has to be tackled politically. It has to. Any other way would lead to the destruction of the whole country and you know it. I'm sure you remember the civil war. Everyone thought they had a righteous cause and the subjectively probably did but what did it lead to, honestly...
24 March 2014, 12:32
54
loubnani, u're right, he cant confront HA militarily, but then he should be frank like Jumby was yesterday, admit he cant do anything and let the sunnis arm and defend themselves.
What he did in Abra shows his connivence with HA thugs...
Same in Arsal and Tripoli... U cant apply law only on sunnis...
24 March 2014, 20:32
12
What exactly do you think that would do cedre other than lead the country to the abyss? Do you think arming Sunnis and arming Shiaas is what will solve the problem. We will have another civil war and we all know from experience that no one can win in a civil war in Lebanon. We will all lose plain and simple. I honestly do not want more death and complete destruction. I want my children one day to grow Lebanese and not end up being British with a Lebanese father.
Blood will only lead to more blood. The only way to win your cause is to eradicate a huge section of the Shiaa community. Are you honestly willing to live with that and I you even think that's possible? Come on man
24 March 2014, 20:34
13
@FD It makes sense to me but I acknowledge that not everyone has the same opinion. They have a right to their own and I respect that.
24 March 2014, 11:21
11
after 911 president Bush said that he will take the war to its origin and destroy the origin with all the extremists
and what is going on now is one of the big blows the terrorists are having , even in afganistan the nb of terrorist killed is less than Syria
so god bless you mon general just destroy the terrorists cause the green light is universal and only petro dollars are on terrorists side
arab spring and democracy to the gulf counties
24 March 2014, 12:33
46
@Southern : Hezbollah is harbouring terrorists accused of the assassinations of some of our politicians and many bombing incidents (not to mention they are themselves terrorists).
Now we all know Hezbollah pisses on the Lebanese Army and does not care. But this doesn't change the fact you're criminals !
24 March 2014, 13:39
23
southern: just take off your blinkers and you will truly see all what hezbollah is about... treason and hypocrisy....
24 March 2014, 14:44
23
STL was cleared from Day 1 ? What do you mean cleared ? Cleared by Whom ? By your terrorist in chief Hassan Nasrallah ?
He's neither a judge, nor a lawmaker, nor a minister, nor the president of this country.
So who cleared what ?
The only thing CLEAR my friend is that you belong to a terrorist party and are evading justice by HARBOURING wanted assassins and terrorists!
The only support your provide to the LAF is to make sure it remains weak so you can act without accountability !
Your "war on Terrorism" in Syria is a JOKE coming from a terrorist party. It's a war for Bashar and has nothing to do with protecting Lebanon!
Our army doesn't need any safeguarding ... no one asked you to safeguard it so shove it !
24 March 2014, 17:42
24
The Lebanese army is the only patriotic and non secular institution that Lebanon still has! Respect the Watan! they are not scared of anyone or do they harbour or take sides with anyone. They are the defenders of Lebanon! any side that says otherwise are traitors!
I have a friend who is the commander of the moguwhier! The lebanese version of the SAS or navy seals! In 2005 he was shot in the leg by a Hezbollah member. This shooter as hunted down and arrested. He was treated like any enemy of the State. The soldiers thought him a lesson that many in Hezbollah will have heard. They dont fear Hezbollah nor are they under their influence. They know that the resistance is legal and they work with them. The best thing is for the inevitable to happen... Hezbollah come within the control of the lebanese armed forces. they are not our enemies, but both want the same thing... a strong Lebanon!
24 March 2014, 18:08
04
The Army is the only legitimate force of any country, and only one army like any other civilized nation. God bless them and their devotion to the country.
