Qahwaji: We Will No Longer Remain Silent over Any Verbal Attack against us
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji stressed on Thursday that the criticism and praise issued against the army by various political sides will not affect the unity of the institution or the morale of its troops.
He said before the Army Command and top officers: “We will no longer remain silent over any verbal, media, or moral attack.”
He stated that political figures are making the attacks out of political or electoral purposes.
“The army has long maintained silence out of its keenness to prevent the institution from being dragged into pointless debates, however due to the incitement against officers and soldiers, the army will no longer remain silent against any attack,” declared Qahwaji.
“Some sides have unfortunately interpreted the army’s silence as a weakness,” he noted.
“The army is keen against getting embroiled in internal disputes because it is too busy focusing on greater issues in light of the dangerous regional developments and constant fears of an Israeli assault against Lebanon,” he stressed.
In addition, he said that the army “will never alter its convictions and national role.”
On the regional situation, Qahwaji remarked: “These developments, especially those in Syria, require the army to exert exceptional efforts to overcome this critical phase with as little damage as possible, in particular because it is one of the primary powers concerned with averting the repercussions of these events.”
The army commander stressed the importance of exercising caution while defending Lebanon’s southern border against Israel and controlling the border with Syria in a manner that would preserve the security of the residents of those areas.
Qahwaji stressed the need to “immediately retaliate against any attack against the army, regardless of who launched the assault.”
The army has recently come under criticism since the death of Sheikhs Ahmed Abdul Wahed and Mohammed Merheb at an army checkpoint in the northern region of Kweikhat in May.
Lebanon has witnessed in recent days protests by the families of the officers and soldiers detained for their connection to the case.
Supporters of the Free Patriotic Movement and families of the detainees have blocked roads in support of the army.
19 July 2012, 19:19
512
....... unless the attacks come from Syria or Hezbollah, in which case we will remain silent
19 July 2012, 19:24
66
It's just on Verbal attack. not physical attack!!! what a weak army!!!
19 July 2012, 19:25
14
Hopefully you will respond sharply against all these politicans attacking the army because the pose a danger to our Lebanon !!!!
19 July 2012, 19:25
45
God bless the Lebanese army. The only true national, non religious or political institution in Lebanon.
We all know the fear of the past sectarian problems are influencing the army response to attacks on it... But be strong and decisive with your response, and the Lebanese will support you.
19 July 2012, 19:36
11
Good point, its a usless army and always have been. They are great shooting at defenseless people but back in 2008, when we needed the boys in green you would be lucky to find one... They were probably hudled together in their bunkers "maintaining" civil peace :).. What a waste of uniforms and public funds
19 July 2012, 20:14
52
Anyone that attacks a foreign nation unprovoked from lebanese soil, needs to be destroyed. Whether at the southern border or northern. If Israel was infiltrated and attacked, would you be as concerned with the army response to Israel's retaliation?
Let us stop making excuses and rally behind our national army.
19 July 2012, 23:28
00
didnt hezbollah do just that in 2006!
stop making ur own excuses and honestly, screw that army that is worthless, except when it comes to getting retirement money, perks like chauffeurs, free electricity/phone etc
19 July 2012, 20:09
25
With all due respect General, your bark is bigger then your bite, I for one would love to see a strong army capable of dealing fairly and stricktly with all internal sides including HA while maintaining Lebanese sovereignty.
19 July 2012, 20:27
17
The military institution shouldn't take part in these games. It isn't it's mission to comment verbal attacks from anyone, any side. Just do your job!
19 July 2012, 20:37
05
"it's our children that serve in the army, not the politicians'."
Well said. We should have a rally in support for our army, instead of rallying for these damned "politicians".
19 July 2012, 21:35
15
"...The army is too busy defending Lebanon’s southern border against Israel and controlling the border with Syria..." Shouldn't it be defending the border with Syria and controlling the border with Israel? Nasrallah was rigtht last night, Lebanese people don't read the news..
20 July 2012, 10:31
21
Finally, guess the FPM support led somewhere! anyway Fatfat, daher, merehbi and mainly wehbe katicha and geagea better watchout now before criticizing the army. From now on they WILL PAY: elections are few months away
20 July 2012, 15:46
11
And you all call those fasoulia eaters an army?
You call that bunch of officers drowned in privileges an army.
You call these people whom did not move when attacked by the Hezb an army?
You call these ridiculous cowards who did not even fight when attacked by the Israelis and surrendered immediately an army?
Funny the "oh we are all behind you and respect you". What a sinister jokes…
