PM Says Government United behind Legitimate Armed Forces

Prime Minister Tammam Salam said Monday that the Lebanese government is united in its support to the army and security forces in their battle with terrorists.

“The government is united behind the legitimate military and security forces in their battle with terrorists and (in their attempt) to restore security and safety to Tripoli and the North,” said Salam during a security-ministerial meeting at the Grand Serail.

The meeting was attended by Defense Minister Samir Moqbel, Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq, Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi, Army chief Gen. Jean Qahwaji and other top security officials.

Salam chaired the talks ahead of traveling to Berlin to attend a conference on Syrian refugees and meet with top German officials on Tuesday.

The Grand Serail meeting came as the Lebanese troops entered the Bab al-Tabbaneh neighborhood in the northern city of Tripoli where thousands of civilians had fled deadly fighting with militants who have battled the army across the coastal city and nearby areas for three days.

Salam told the ministers and heads of security agencies, who attended the meeting, that he has “asked concerned ministries and the Higher Relief Council to carry out their duties and exert all efforts to fix the damage” that resulted from the fighting between the army and the extremists over the weekend.

Salam also ordered the ministries and the HRC to “meet the needs of the citizens and compensate their losses.”

He stressed the importance of continuing the battle with “outlaws … no matter which slogans they adopt.”

Salam rejected the return of chaos to Tripoli, which has in the past witnessed dozens of rounds of bloody clashes between two rival neighborhoods.

The state-run National News Agency said the meeting's participants discussed security plans and took decisions in that regard.

NNA did not provide further details.

G.K.

M.T.