Qahwaji Says Army Determined To 'Eliminate Terrorism from its Roots'

Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji on Wednesday declared that the army is determined to fight terrorism until it is eliminated, stressing that the army will not exclude “any method” to liberate the servicemen kidnapped by jihadist groups.

"We renew today what we had already confirmed before -- our determination to continue combating terrorism with power and firmness until we eliminate it from it roots,” Qahwaji said in a speech while meeting a delegation from the Association of Foreign and Arab Military Attaches.

The army had engaged in skirmishes throughout last year with extremist groups on Syria's border, which culminated in August in a fierce battle in and around the Bekaa border town of Arsal.

Sixteen civilians and 20 soldiers were killed in the August battle while over 30 members from the army and Interior Security Forces were taken hostage. Seven have been released to date while four were executed.

The army also fought unprecedented, fierce clashes with Islamist militants in Tripoli's old souks and the nearby northern regions of Bhannine and al-Mhammara.

Qahwaji noted the army “foiled through the blood of its martyrs and the courage of the soldiers the scheme of the terrorists who had planned to establish an obscurantist emirate from the east border till the sea, as their arrested leaders confessed.”

"The kidnapped servicemen's issue remains our priority, and will will not spare an effort or a way in order to liberate them and bring them back to their institutions and families,” he added.

He stressed that foreign aid, “especially the Saudi donation, will have a huge impact on enhancing the ability of the army to win the battle.”

Qahwaji also confirmed “commitment to U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701.”

The General did not forget to remind of the importance of “coordination with the UNIFIL to address the Israeli violations and infringements on Lebanon's soil and preserving the national and regional stability.”

M.Y.

Y.R.