Army Slams 'Fabricated' Videos of Gunmen, Vows to Resort to Judiciary
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
The Army command criticized on Thursday “fabricated” videos of gunmen allegedly fighting alongside troops in the southern city Sidon, vowing to take judicial action.
“At a time that the Lebanese army was fighting a fierce battle against an armed group that was spreading sedition and meddling with the country's security... A cheap political and media campaign was targeting it,” a communique issued by the army said.
It noted that “fabricated” videos, audio tapes and pictures were released concerning the army in the town of Abra and gunmen fighting alongside the troops.
“The army command reminds that the intelligence bureau's members wear civilian cloths... Any moral or security violations by any soldier or army unit will be investigated and the appropriate measures will be taken,” the statement said.
The army command expressed regret that some local media outlets reached a level of deception that any technical expert could easily detect.
It described the matter as a “media scandal,” warning that it will not remain mum over it.
“We have the right to refer the matter to the competent judicial authority,” the statement said.
The Sidon clashes broke out when supporters of Salafist cleric Sheikh Ahmed al-Asir attacked the army.
Al-Asir, a 45-year-old cleric, supports the overwhelmingly Sunni rebels fighting to topple Syrian President Bashar Assad.
Several media outlets displayed videos showing gunmen with yellow armbands fighting alongside the army, indicating that Hizbullah took part in the battles.
However, Hizbullah denied the matter.
Meanwhile, Army chief Gen. Jean Qahwaji visited on Thursday Caretaker Premier Najib Miqati at the Grand Serail.
A statement issued from Miqati's press office said the two men discussed the army's investigation into the videos “that tarnish the image of the military institution.”
“The army should deal with all citizens equally,” Miqati said.
He also called for distancing the military institution from the political campaigns.
Syria's civil war has been bleeding into Lebanon for the past year, following similar sectarian lines of Sunni and Shiite camps. The military has struggled on multiple fronts in the eastern Bekaa valley and the northern city of Tripoli, where armed factions have fought street battles that often last several days.
Few had heard of al-Asir until last year, when he began agitating for Hizbullah to disarm and to clear the apartments near his mosque.
Last year, he set up a protest tent city that closed a main road in Sidon for a month in a sit-in meant to pressure Hizbullah to disarm.
Earlier this month, he accused the army of “defending” the apartments owned by the Shiite party.
He warned he would resort to a “military option” if his demand to vacate them were not met.
27 June 2013, 14:24
199
Even the Lebanese Army is starting to call out the lying terrorists at Future TV and their MTV jihadist sidekicks.
27 June 2013, 15:34
411
People of the world, every boy, evey girl :
20 minutes ago Military source to AFP: Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji ordered probing an amateur video that shows several troops kicking and humiliating an arrested man, probably linked to cleric al-Asir, during an interrogation.
21 minutes ago Al-Jadeed quoting a military source: The army group responsible for beating a citizen in Sidon has been referred to investigation.
27 June 2013, 16:02
49
Roar, you reason like bigjohn.
Complètement à côté de la plaque.
The army is behaving like savages and DISHONOUR the fallen and courageous soldiers against Assir. Yes, DISHONOUR them.
27 June 2013, 15:40
28
nothing easier... i already spotted some as being fabrications (i am a producer/filmmaker). technique: unclear picture + post-recorded audio which amplifies/distorts what we see.
the other video that shows soldiers kicking an arrested man is real. and Kahwaji ordered probing the video.
27 June 2013, 16:56
04
great. please share the video and what you're talking about since most of us here would not be able to recognize it on our own.
27 June 2013, 17:22
04
also, regarding the pictures that clearly show men in civilian clothing carrying weapons and talking to army members, or men with beards (which last time i heard was not standard army practice)
27 June 2013, 15:24
34
although I hate future tv, but it was newtv that broadcast the manar video with the civilians and started this, then the stupid other channels followed suit
27 June 2013, 15:40
34
nothing easier... i already spotted some as being fabrications (i am a producer/filmmaker). technique: unclear picture + post-recorded audio which amplifies/distorts what we see.
the other video that shows soldiers kicking an arrested man is real. and Kahwaji ordered probing the video.
27 June 2013, 22:12
15
True or not....we all know the scums HA would do such a thing because they are nothing but evil!
27 June 2013, 22:45
16
Hezb Ebola, hezb Asrael.... All I know is that they do not represent. God's will in any of the 3 religions of the book.
Who would use an AK47 as a logo for God. A Russian made weapon.... Not even Arab or Farsi for that matter. Des fous!
27 June 2013, 22:14
24
The loved Farsi BSThrower again racking up all those nice votes. Wlak get the hint and scram. Planty of Farsi blogs that would welcome your BS.
27 June 2013, 14:32
48
I hope that the illegal Farsi militia of Hizb did not fight against anyone...this Lebanon and Qusayr/Syria...there were eye witnesses that stated that Hizb thugs were seen on front lines...Army always investigates but NEVER reveals the results we need transparency...is that too much to ask?!!!
27 June 2013, 14:34
58
the army should take high legal measures n set them as example so all media know that freedom is responsibility !! not lying to support their own political point of view n agendas
27 June 2013, 14:35
78
The army has become a branch of hizb. The case of the tail wagging the dog.
27 June 2013, 14:39
58
let the army put all of us in jail for saying the truth.
pictures and videos on all websites as well as several hundred witnesses are there to confirm hizbushaitan actions in saida.
they want to cover up once more for hizbushaitan, then they will see hundreds of assir popping up each day.
they are pushing the people to civil war by all means.
27 June 2013, 15:02
311
I have witnesses within my family who saw them. And they are no M14er partisans but sympathizers of Ossama Saad (the thug, my opinion).
The army is lying, is it for the greater good or because they fear for themselves. Attacking us is easier than tackling the real cancer in Lebanon, you know.... The Hezb Ebola.
27 June 2013, 15:17
28
Well, go trust your politicized media. You're incredibly witty.
I trust people more than paid mouthpieces.... M14 or M8.
27 June 2013, 15:14
29
Yes, Geha loves Assir and wishes to marry his 5 year old daughter.
بهلول
Chou hayda, you're so childish roar.
27 June 2013, 18:43
25
yes that would be "le comble"!
you the Iranian thugs want to exile each and every Lebanese from our country.
you have no shame to do as hitler did.
murder all opponents or force them to exile. nasrallah=hitler.
27 June 2013, 18:45
26
I HATE asir.
why cant you put it in your stupid mind?
is it that terrible for your mind to accept that there are Lebanese people who hate all sorts of extremists especially if they carry weapons and impose their opinion on us?
so stupid.
27 June 2013, 15:01
28
As you sheep are all blindly looking the other way to a bunch of wannabe terrorists, the Hezbollah "resistance" is committing atrocities in Israel - euh Syria.
Hassan Nassrallah is a magician and illusionist !
27 June 2013, 15:03
54
so now the people who wanted a strong state and a strong army are attacking the lebanese army who have just offered martyrs against armed extremists thugs , and are siding with the fanatics just because they hate hizbullah !
It's blind reactions like this that is pushing to civil war!
27 June 2013, 17:12
35
theobserver you are missing the point, NO ONE is backing up Assir against our Military!!! Hell no way… we just want a Strong military that treats all illegal militias the same..ALL MILITIAS....Hizb created a strange phenomena called Legal Arms Outside the government institutions to fight Israel, in Syria, in Cyprus, in Bulgaria and Nigeria etc...No one should be armed but the State..NO MORE EXCUSES....One state on Military.
27 June 2013, 15:11
22
“The army command reminds that the intelligence bureau's members wear civilian cloths" The videos show armed civilians with beards. Do they also have army members with beards? For camouflage when they fight hizbullah (which they never dare to do?)
27 June 2013, 15:22
38
Part of the ip address.... Because if it's a full one,they'll send their Lebanese or Syrian Chabiha and real with us and our families.
27 June 2013, 22:48
24
FT, already gathering 'intelligence' to have me eliminated as soon as I land in Beirut?
Yes, I live in Europe since 1989 thanks to the troufion Aoun.
27 June 2013, 15:20
13
Guys do not waste your time. Leave the losers in their orgasmic state. Remember the old proverb( t ( الفار اللذي كحس المسن).
27 June 2013, 15:31
49
Roar, I'm for truth, no matter who tells it. I'm for justice, no matter who it's for or against.
27 June 2013, 15:31
27
I don't know if the videos are true, but hizb iran was involved in the fighting and did set up checkpoints. I know of 4 people personally who were stopped at roadblocks that looked like they were army checkpoints, except for the green armbands. The first thing that these guys did is look for camera, so getting pictures out would be a rarity.
Additionally, if you look at the damage from surrounding buildings, you will see that a lot of damage was on the side facing the 'harra', and not from the direction of assir's compound. if you don't believe it, drive down to saida yourself and examine the damage instead of letting the talking heads dictate what they want you to believe. The fact that berri came out and said that neither hizb iran or amal were involved in the fighting is a red flag.
Just drive down and check out if you don't believe me (or up in the case of mowaten)
27 June 2013, 15:43
84
So I guess all the M14 cheerleaders above who have been calling on HA to hand over the weapons to the army have now turned against the army. Ok I totally agree the army is bad and cant be trusted. They lie and are a bunch of crazy trigger happy men. So Hezbollah please keep your weapons as we dont want it to fall in the hands of these people.
27 June 2013, 15:49
38
I know some of the Naharnet staff personally. They are above the influence of the army, political parties and any other propaganda mouthpiece medias.
They will never release the IPs of anyone and will even protect idiots like you who spread racist hate and insults and calls for violence like you.
27 June 2013, 17:28
25
So you admit to spreading racist hate and insults but refuse to accept calling for violence.
Fine, I retract my previous accusation of you calling for violence and sincerely apologize for going out of my way to show what a troublemaker you are. You're "half" a troublemaker.
27 June 2013, 16:00
42
What fabricated? Al-Mustaqbal al-Ta3ees does not fabricate. Marwan Fabrikante Hamadeh swears on the grave of his honor that he and his step-son Mohammad Zuheir al-Siddiq do not fabrikate. Also, the four innocent generals killed Rafic Syria, Syria's best Rafic, and so did Imad Marmal, Emile Lahoud, Suleiman Franjiyeh, the Qandil Brothers, Wiam Wahab, and of course, it goes without mention, General Michel Aoun. Fabricated? What fabricated? What's not fabricated are the boks, labta and sermeyeh bi ra2bet al-Mustaqbal al-Ta3ees and all Sanni regimes that pimp them. t3isho wa teklo ghayra. takbir!
27 June 2013, 16:39
35
roro, you're acting like a little kid accusing so many that disagree with as Assir lovers...shame on you...man up little kiddy cat...if you can..
27 June 2013, 17:04
43
The Asir thugs started it and murdered Lebanese Army personel. There is no way to put a good spin on it. Asir was acting up like a boil that eventually was going to pop, it did. They did Lebanon a favor by bringing it on themselves. Now, Where is the boss man? He should have to pay with his life. Anyone hiding him is guilty of treason against Lebanon and aiding an abetting a criminal.
27 June 2013, 17:12
44
theobserver you are missing the point, NO ONE is backing up Assir against our Military!!! Hell no way… we just want a Strong military that treats all illegal militias the same..ALL MILITIAS....Hizb created a strange phenomena called Legal Arms Outside the government institutions to fight Israel, in Syria, in Cyprus, in Bulgaria and Nigeria etc...No one should be armed but the State..NO MORE EXCUSES....One state on Military.
28 June 2013, 10:07
00
(CONT'D) The proof you all live a VERY LOW STANDERD OF LIFE, Lebanon can't even insure your basic needs in life let alone medical or decent wages. My point is you all should be fighting for your own benefits and not for the Crazy leaders you all follow! Honestly they don't care about you or your security, or your health, or if you have food!
27 June 2013, 18:50
32
no fabrications: hundreds of different videos are on the net for those willing to really see.
this is why the army announced the arrest of those in that video in particular because they could no more cover it up.
27 June 2013, 18:53
43
you are so blind guys: the tension is rising so fast and it might explode anytime soon now thanks to your iranian militia.
27 June 2013, 18:54
33
don't bother: they know what they did, but they just deny it.
it is like all their assassinations: deny, deny, deny.
28 June 2013, 00:38
15
Fabricated! It's a conspiracy against the army! BEWARE! Now we have Video Editors at Future TV that are better than editors in Hollywood! That's true, these guys are SO good that they end up fabricating videos for FutureTV instead of making millions in Hollywood.... give me an f'n break I worked in video editing before it's almost impossible to fabricate such videos. If it's a picture I would say ok possible lets check it's authenticity but video.. no.
28 June 2013, 09:19
10
Please help me understand, where is the wrong if Hizballah helped the army since they ARE more experienced and qualified in guerrilla warfare? And since when is it a crime to aid your country men?how unpatriotic of you! From what I understand M14 wants to turn this around, IT IS WRONG OR A CRIME TO JOIN AND HELP YOUR NATIONAL ARMY, BUT ITS NOT A CRIME TO ATTACK THE Army. Sounds like the are trying to turn the spot light off Assir and cover up for their buddy by focusing on The Huge crime of aiding the National Army! Seriously guys!
You don't have to be a fan of Hizballah, but logically & ethically how can we insult them, unless you are just prejudice and an angry hater!
28 June 2013, 10:25
10
Dear Suzanne... Do you know what a state of law means? If i kill a thief i must go to trial even if i am helping the police. If what you are saying was valid then why is the army trying to hard to justify itself? Did you see the Hezbollah check points stopping civilian cars from continuing their way? (Killing Samer Hanna in a cold blooded manner helped the army a lot to understand it cannot mess up with Hezbollah...)
28 June 2013, 11:03
00
LOL for a minute I thought you were talking about a normal country!!!
So funny that you Lebanese really act like you have a normal state of affairs. You have a speaker of the house (Berri) who literally took over forever, other ministers that collect salaries and live in Saudi, Crazy Leaders who attack each other every moment they can! No electricity, sometimes no water, a mountain of trash in Sidon God only knows why, 60% of your people don't have health care, nor decent medication, or if it is any good unaffordable due to the poverty level, a government who monopolizes the cell phone industry and you pay outrageous amounts to just talk on the phone. LITERALLY YOU ARE SCREWED EVERY SINGLE DAY BY YOUR GOVERNMENT! The least of your problems is Hizballah yet you people want to make it the one and only problem in Lebanon.
WAKE UP!
28 June 2013, 15:37
00
It seems you do not live in lebanon and that's why you cannot have an idea of what we are going through here because of the Hizbullah is behaving and where they are leading the country. The heavy losses of our economy because tourists will not come, the losses of the 2006 war in billions, the murders attempts, the murders, the bomb attacks ... You are far away and have an outsider look so somehow I understand your comments...
