Miqati Meets Arsal Delegation, Rejects Assaulting Army

Prime Minister Najib Miqati stressed on Saturday that attacking the Lebanese army in the eastern border town of Arsal is rejected after talks with a delegation from the area that called for fair trials.

“Assaulting the army in Arsal is rejected and condemned... The appropriate legal measures will be taken against the offenders,” Miqati pointed out.

The premier called on the residents of Arsal to cooperate with the army and hand over the offenders.

The army arrested 11 people in Arsal on Thursday and Friday as it continues its crackdown on assailants linked to the February 1 clashes that broke out in the town.

Two officers were killed in clashes as an army patrol was seeking to arrest a wanted suspect.

The patrol was ambushed by unidentified gunmen and the suspect was killed in the ensuing unrest.

The army has since intensified its security around the town in an effort to arrest the assailants.

“We are certain that the army will resolve the matter away from any exaggeration,” Miqati said, considering that the town is part of the Lebanese society.

The PM expressed hope that the recent incident in the town would be the last, calling on politicians to end the “political incitement.”

“We should all cooperate to safeguard our country during these critical conditions we are passing through,” Miqati stated.

He praised efforts undertaken by the army to maintaining the country's unity, independence and sovereignty.

For his part, Sheikh Mohammed al-Hujairi expressed solidarity with the army and Internal Security Forces calling for “fair trials.”

He pointed out that the tight security measures in the town are not “acceptable.”

“Some of the residents are being harassed by the army at checkpoints,” al-Hujairi said.

On Friday, dozens of Arsal residents burned tires and blocked roads to protest the tight security measures in the town.