Suleiman Says No to Randomly Spread Arms, Supports Prosecution of those who Target Army
President Michel Suleiman on Wednesday threw his weight behind the Lebanese army’s decision to bring to trial those who target the military and rejected arms spread randomly across the country.
In his Army Day speech at the Shukri Ghanem barracks in Fayyadiyeh, a suburb of Beirut, Suleiman said: “The judiciary should issue verdicts against those who targeted the army without any fear.”
He was referring to a decision by the military on Tuesday to prosecute al-Mustaqbal’s Akkar MP Moeen al-Merehbi for attacking the military establishment and slandering army chief Gen. Jean Qahwaji.
On the other hand, the army is a fair and capable force that works in accordance with the law and “accepts being held accountable through legal means,” he said.
The military “protects and does not attack, it builds and does not destroy.”
The killing of Sunni Sheikh Ahmed Abdul Wahed and his companion Mohammed Merheb at a military checkpoint in the Akkar town of al-Kweikhat in May has sparked widespread anger among opposition ranks, it led to road closures and calls for referring the case to the Judicial Council.
“No to arms spread randomly,” the president said as he called for steering Lebanon clear of the policy of regional axes and conflicts.
Suleiman also refused turning Lebanese territories into a corridor for arms and gunmen and said the state will reject forcing the army into giving up its duties in any part of Lebanon.
In a reference to highly sectarian tensions, the president called for political coexistence and rejected mini states spread on the sidelines of the Lebanese state.
On the controversial national defense strategy, Suleiman said the strategy should be based on the army to confront the enemy’s plots against Lebanon.
The issue has been a high source of contention between Hizbullah and the March 14 opposition which calls for integrating the party’s arms with the state.
Prior to his speech, Suleiman laid a wreath at the memorial of army martyrs.
The 67th Army Day ceremony, which saw the graduation of officers, was also attended by Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Najib Miqati, cabinet ministers, Qahwaji and other top political and military officials.
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