Berri Vows to Defend Cabinet amid Differences over Arsal, Appointments

Speaker Nabih Berri has pledged to defend the government over fears that it would collapse due to differences between the rival March 8 and 14 alliances on a military solution on the outskirts of the northeastern border town of Arsal and the appointment of top security and military officials.

“I will defend the cabinet with all my strength,” Berri told his visitors in remarks published in local newspapers on Monday.

“I will be at the forefront of those defending it,” he said.

“The issue of Arsal is being tackled. The army launched its measures in some of its neighborhoods,” Berri was quoted as saying.

“Its case as a town is one thing and its outskirts is another … The army is responsible for its security,” he stated.

Referring to militants based on Arsal’s outskirts, Berri said: “It is the right of the state, the army, the people and the resistance to liberate any occupied inch of Lebanese territories in the south, east, or even in the west toward the sea, and not to keep the occupation. I am with the resistance in any occupied place.”

Cabinet ministers from Hizbullah and the Free Patriotic Movement, which are members of the March 8 alliance, have been calling for the army to oust al-Qaida-linked al-Nusra Front and Islamic State group jihadists from Arsal's outskirts.

But several March 14 coalition ministers have rejected such a move.

Asked by his visitors on another dispute on the military and security appointments, Berri reiterated that he backed such measures.

“But if these appointments do not take place, then the extension is necessary to avoid vacuum,” he said.

The cabinet is set to tackle the issue during a session on Monday.

FPM chief MP Michel Aoun has repeatedly warned the government against extending the terms of the army and Internal Security Forces chiefs, deeming it illegal.

He allegedly backs the appointment of his son-in-law, Commando Regiment chief Brig. Gen. Chamel Roukoz, as army commander.

Military chief Gen. Jean Qahwaji is set to retire on September 23.

G.K.

H.K.