Suleiman Calls on Syrian Army to Stop Shelling Lebanon, Says Sending Drone over Israel Demonstrates Need for Defense Strategy
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
President Michel Suleiman stressed on Friday the need for devising a defense strategy that meets the demands of the army and its duties to defend the country and national interests, reported the National News Agency.
He said: “Sending a drone over enemy territories demonstrates the need for a defense strategy that can organize the capabilities of the resistance in defending Lebanon.”
He made his remarks in light of Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's acknowledgment on Thursday that his party sent a sophisticated unmanned drone over Israel last week, saying the device was built by the Jewish state's arch-foe Iran.
His acknowledgment came shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pointed at Hizbullah and vowed to defend his country against further "threats."
On October 6, the Israeli air force jets shot down the unarmed drone over southern Israel's Negev desert after it entered the country's airspace from the Mediterranean Sea.
Suleiman stressed that it has become a pressing need to resolve Israel's “daily violations of Lebanon's sovereignty,” noting that Lebanon has repeatedly filed complaints to the United Nations over the matter.
Meanwhile, in an interview with the Akhbar al-Yawm news agency, Suleiman called on both the Syrian regime and opposition to refrain from intervening in Lebanon.
“The Syrian army must exercise restraint and refrain from firing shells at Lebanon or cutting trees like what happened today. It must also refrain from blowing up houses in the area near the border," Suleiman added.
The president stressed that “The Syrian opposition and the Syrian regime must avoid crossing into Lebanese territory.”
And as he reassured that “the Syrian crisis will not spark domestic fighting” in Lebanon, the president noted that “we have taken all the decisions that enable Lebanon to protect itself from the repercussions” of the Syrian conflict.
12 October 2012, 12:39
91
How many times Mr. President Israel violated Lebanese airspace, can the people know from you the real numbers? Why Mr. President you use Translator when you meet with foreign leaders, I thought your resume said that you speak English and French like 70% of Lebanese does?
12 October 2012, 12:53
08
it only means that hezbos are not respecting the lebanese state by doing what they want...
how can people follow a party rather than the state? it proves how lebanese they are and how respectful of the institutions they are! they don t give a damn to the state!
this proves how anti lebanese this party is....
12 October 2012, 12:57
34
the real question is: who is defending the interests of lebanese and especially the shia and their regions ? hassan nasrallah or fakhamto?
12 October 2012, 13:00
08
An Army for the nation as a whole! That should be any democratic country's goal!
12 October 2012, 13:51
05
The game of war is not ours to play. Let go of all the "startegy of defense" talk and have the courage to ask for what Lebanon really needs. a Neutral policy and a total isolation from the Regional issues is the only course that Lebanon should follow. Of course with Hezbollah armed the task is difficult but it is a lot easier than remaining under the threats of destructive wars.
12 October 2012, 14:52
06
Mr. president we all know that Hizb arms will not come under the state control...They are Iranian arms and Hizb allegiance is to Iran ONLY. Sooner or later the time will come when either our Lebanese military and people will have to face Hizballa in battle...Noussralla is becoming more arrogant and deceitful…enough is enough…
12 October 2012, 14:54
13
If you feel the need to push the whole country into a war because Hezballa is defending the interests of the shia regions, then be it... for you only... I am not sure the other constituants of the country see it the same way.
You guys will have to decide if you fit in or if you want things your way, in which case many people are not really attached to being your partners in a failed state.
12 October 2012, 15:00
06
If, and it is a BIG IF, all the weapons on Lebanese soil were in the hands of the Lebanese Government Security Forces, then I'm sure that Israel would have no reason whatsoever to retaliate against Lebanese territory.
When, with all the claimed Israeli violations of Lebanese airspace and territory did Israeli forces shoot a single bullet against the Lebanese Army?
12 October 2012, 15:14
70
Only the Resistance can defend Lebanon. Pls chill out & let "Alsayed" handle things..We are part of the Big Iran else we would have been dead long time ago..
12 October 2012, 15:23
24
The drone is a gimmick launched by Israel....then shot down by the Isrealis.
Then the Israeli PM blames Hizb to get more international support and internal votes.
Hizb was very happy to accept and confirm publicly that Hizb drone traveled all around Israel and entered the Negev desert.
The natives of Dahiey are scared and happy but in general lost and confused ....( Like believing the HIZB martyrs in Syria were defending teh Lebanese living in Syria....another Joke.
This is the theater in open air we live in Lebanon...
The audience is....blind
12 October 2012, 16:04
05
Why mince your words Mr. President? Why not just say that Hezb is violating Lebanese sovereignty by initiating these expeditions without consulting with the Lebanese government, and they are endangering the lives of the 4 million Lebanese that live in Lebanon. Nasrallah should be arrested for this. Why do we keep tolerating this? That's the real question.
The difference is - Hezb wants war. The majority of the Lebanese want peace. If Lebanon says they want peace, then there will be peace, and there is no more a "threat" from Israel.
Hezb is leading Lebanon on the very WRONG path again. God save us please.
12 October 2012, 17:29
07
I prefer to see FSA getting rid of the filthy militia. This way more lebanese will join them.
12 October 2012, 17:32
06
once more, hizbushaitan is putting Lebanon at risk of an attack by israel just to prove a point, without even consulting with the Lebanese government as if it did not exist.
they are showing us they hold our lifes in their hands, and they can do whatever they want with them.
I do not accept this mentality or their actions, and I look desperately for prosperity and peace.
12 October 2012, 18:37
03
the weaker bashar= the strongest fakhamto ,bilad el arz are prevailing ,no doubt about it..
the drone was only a cover for the retreat and give some psychological support to the faqihi guys.
12 October 2012, 18:39
21
Every general is a night mare for Lebanese especially when they step in politics, beginning from Aoun destroying the air force, Baabda by launching uncalculated war on the Assad, the President and the retired General who said the drone is American, they full of it and they don't speak any foreign language, how they can understand politics.
12 October 2012, 18:40
03
Agreed Phoenix! All we hear from Mr. President is "Call; call; call; call" but unfortunately no one is answering his calls because no one cares. I call on Israel to rid us of this evil sect called HA and Turkey help the FSA shred Assad and his butchers! In due time Iran will be dealt with once and for all! When this happens....and is done, the world can be a safer place for all.
12 October 2012, 19:17
30
Gentelmen we should all of us back the drone/s of Hizb to explore over israel..Hizb always has the best tactics, no worries. Hope Bashar will take care of things quickly so Iran, Syria and Lebanon can stand together against the devil.
12 October 2012, 20:22
04
The real enemy is neither Iran nor Israel, its ourselves. It's the sectarian system we are a part of.
12 October 2012, 21:30
11
God bless this greatest president the world has ever seen. March 14, listen to me, all of the Lebanese, without exception, listen to every single word our great president says and have non-stoppable feasts every single time. The Syrians surely will as well. Take my word for it.
13 October 2012, 00:41
12
Hezbollah is going down, with or without Israel/FSA's help. Nobody likes them anymore, even The good Shia people of Lebanon.
13 October 2012, 00:44
00
I prefer CNN, it's safer. Not sue Al Manar will show the footage... Jajajaja
13 October 2012, 08:25
00
i didnt get the part where u people were nagging about a translator? the president is an educated man unlike most of u that are talking nonsense, however LOL MAYBE EMILE LAHOUd had a better way with language haha
