Qahwaji Inspects Troops in Arsal, Warns Confrontation with Terrorists 'is Not over'

Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji hailed on Wednesday the role of the military in thwarting terrorism in Lebanon, most notably in the northeastern region of Arsal and the northern city of Tripoli.

He said while inspecting troops deployed in Arsal: “We have achieved several impressive national accomplishments, but that does not mean that our confrontation with terrorism is over.”

“We are prepared to confront the crises and they will not be more challenging than the ones we faced in the past,” he remarked.

“The army's ongoing efforts and sacrifices halted the infiltration of terrorists,” said Qahwaji.

“The military is determined to prevent the spread of terrorism in Lebanon no matter the cost or sacrifices,” he declared.

“The army's keenness on controlling the border and its daily achievements in combating terrorist cells inside of Lebanon are what protected and will continue to protect Lebanon's unity against the threat of strife and chaos,” he stressed.

He therefore called on the troops to always remain prepared to confront different challenges.

Qahwaji later inspected the frontlines of the Lebanese army posts in Wadi Hmeid, al-Masyada and Wadi al-Hosn.

Jihadists from al-Qaida-linked al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State group are entrenched on the outskirts of the town on the porous Syrian-Lebanese border.

In August, they overran Arsal and engaged in deadly fighting with the army.

Around 20 troops were killed while at least 35 soldiers and policemen were taken hostage by the retreating militants. Four of them have been so far executed.

H.K./M.T.