Suleiman Praises Army, Stresses Need to Take Legal Measures against Security Violators

President Michel Suleiman congratulated on Wednesday the Lebanese army for the various security operations it carried out in recent days, most notably the release of the kidnapped Syrian and Turkish nationals.

He stressed the need to follow up on these measures and take the legal measures against violators.

He made his remarks after holding talks with Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji.

The army had recently carried out raids in Beirut's southern suburbs to release the abductees held by al-Meqdad clan's military wing.

The clan had initially kidnapped the foreign nationals in protest against the abduction of Hassan al-Meqdad in Syria in August.

Furthermore, Suleiman also emphasized the importance of supporting the security forces in its efforts to destroy cannabis fields.

He held talks with Prime Minister Najib Miqati, Interior Minister Marwan Charbel, Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn, and Minister of Agriculture Hussein al-Hajj Hassan to that end.

Security forces had carried out operations in recent months to destroy cannabis crops in the Bekaa region.

Its efforts were met with angry protests by the farmers who had demanded that the government provide them with compensation and help them grow alternative crops.

The Internal Security Forces announced in August that it had eradicated 6,615 dunums of crops since the beginning of its operations.