Qahwaji Says Army Detected Terror Cell in Tripoli, Expects New Battle in Arsal
Army chief General Jean Qahwaji on Thursday said he expects the eruption of a “new battle” with jihadist militants in the outskirts of the Bekaa border town of Arsal, revealing that the army has “detected” the presence of a terror cell in the northern city of Tripoli.
“The Lebanese army has reinforced its deployment on Arsal's hills and isolated the town from its outskirts, in order to besiege the gunmen and prevent them from receiving any supplies,” Qahwaji said in an interview with Sky News Arabia.
He said he expects “the eruption of a new battle with the armed groups” in Arsal's peripheries.
“Hizbullah did not take part in Arsal's battle,” Qahwaji stated, noting that the party's military posts “are around 12 kilometers away from the army's checkpoints” in the area.
He was referring to the deadly clashes that broke out in and around Arsal between the army and gunmen from the extremist al-Nusra Front and Islamic State groups, in which dozens of troops were killed, wounded or taken hostage.
The army chief said troops have intensified their monitoring of Syrian refugee encampments in Arsal, noting that troops were attacked during the battle by gunmen who emerged from refugee gatherings in the area.
Separately, Qahwaji revealed that the army has “detected the presence of a terrorist cell in Tripoli.”
“We are trying to pursue its members without engaging in a battle that could lead to the death of innocents, but we will resort to military action should peaceful solutions prove futile,” the army chief warned.
Qahwaji also announced that he is “not seeking to be elected president.”
“Ambition and progress are innate human feelings, but I have not taken any decision to improve my post,” he added.
Y.R.
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