Qahwaji Soothes Fears: Security Situation Under Control, Battle Against Terror to Go On

Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji stressed on Monday that the security situation in Lebanon is under control due to the high readiness of the army to confront all dangers.

“There are no fears on Lebanon in the presence of its unbreakable military, which is united, ready and coherent,” Qahwaji's visitors quoted him as saying in comments published in As Safir newspaper.

He pointed out that soldiers are holding onto the army's doctrine and their tasks to safeguard Lebanon and the Lebanese from enemies and terrorism.

Despite the lack of arms, the high-ranking military official said that troops “will continue their battle and prevent terrorist groups from infiltrating Lebanon.”

“The army is compelled to combat terrorism and will continue its fierce battle offering further sacrifices and achieving more accomplishments.”

Qahwaji said: “The army will triumph.”

He reiterated that the army will “not forget those who assaulted it.”

“The children of the military institution are my children... Their blood is a red line... my decision is strict: we will not settle on the blood of our martyrs,” Qahwaji stressed.

The Islamic State, which controls several areas in Syria and Iraq, aims to spread to Lebanon as its fighters position in the outskirts of Bekaa towns bordering Syria and the Lebanese army is in adamant efforts to stop their efforts to infiltrate the country.

Qahwaji headed to Jordan on Sunday to tackle cooperation between the two countries in military issues of high concern.

The army chief attended at the head of the accompanying delegation a drill to combat terrorism.

King Abdullah II of Jordan previously expressed readiness to aid and train the Lebanese security forces in their battle against terror.

Several allies of Lebanon had stepped up efforts to bolster its armed forces as the threat from jihadists in the region grows.

H.K.

G.K.