Qahwaji Says Army Will not Bow to Difficulties, Will Confront Dangers

Army Commander Gen. Jean Qahwaji vowed on Thursday to work hard to ward off dangers, praising President Michel Suleiman for his patriotic stances.

Qahwaji said in a speech he made at Baabda palace in the presence of Suleiman and high-ranking officers that the military will exert all efforts to confront dangers.

“We will not bow to difficulties but we will implement our military oath,” he said.

“Army Day comes this year amid difficult circumstances caused by internal divisions that are reflecting negatively on the uniformity of the state's work and on the lives of the citizens,” he said.

He praised Suleiman for his “patriotic stances” and his “ultimate support for the army” to keep security and avert strife.

“The army is working day and night to improve its competence to confront any emergency,” he said.

Qahwaji's visit to the presidential palace came after he attended along with Suleiman and top leaders the Army Day ceremony at the Shukri Ghanem barracks in Fayyadiyeh.

During the graduation ceremony of officer cadets, Suleiman said it was time for the state and the army to be the sole decision-makers on the use of force.

“The army's role would be difficult if a party or more get involved in conflicts outside Lebanon,” he said in reference to Hizbullah, whose fighters are backing Syrian troops loyal to President Bashar Assad in their battle with rebels.

Qahwaji said in his Order of Day on Wednesday that there wouldn't have been any fear of vacuum if the political life was running smoothly and disputes didn't govern ties between parties.

Caretaker Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn signed a decision to extend Qahwaji's term for two years.