Suleiman Urges Support for Army, Says State Must Oversee Army-People-Resistance Formula

President Michel Suleiman on Monday called for supporting the army so that it can become the only force that possesses arms in Lebanon, stressing that the state must oversee the so-called army-people-resistance equation.

“Commitment to the Baabda Declaration is what can protect Lebanon's unity and stability, as well as to the defense strategy that we proposed in the wake of the Baabda Decalaration,” Suleiman said in a speech on the occasion of moving to the summer presidential headquarters in Beiteddine.

"Commitment to the defense strategy would protect Lebanon from Israel and I stress that it would protect Lebanon and Lebanon's land exclusively," the president added.

He noted that the so-called army-people-resistance equation is capable of protecting Lebanon “on the condition that it is overseen by the Lebanese state.”

"The resistance cannot act unilaterally concerning the domestic or foreign affairs. For the sake of the resistance and in order to immunize it, we must abide by the proper administration of this equation,” Suleiman added.

“Let us all return to the interior, to our homeland, and let us devote our capabilities, strength and assets to defend our country,” the president went on to say, referring to Hizbullah's military intervention in Syria.

Suleiman called for “supporting the army instead of stabbing it in the back, launching accusations against it and making its mission more difficult.”

“Let us support this army so that it can become the only force that possesses arms and the assets to defend the country. I want to say that the national assets – and I mean the army, the state and the resistance – are not for a certain group or sect, but rather for the entire country,” the president added.

He warned that “the constitutional junctures are looming … and the presidential race will start soon,” urging the formation of a new cabinet that would “take care of the people's affairs.”

“This is what the constitution says. It gives the jurisdiction to form the cabinet to the president and the premier,” Suleiman added, stressing that he will not relinquish his powers pertaining to the cabinet formation process.

“I tell everyone that the cabinet must be formed as soon as possible and we are the guarantee,” the president said, saying a new cabinet representing all parties must accompany the relaunch of national dialogue, “which must also kick off as soon as possible.”