Jumblat Defends Army, Urges Politicians to Distance it from Debate

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat defended the army on Friday saying it is the “only side capable of safeguarding Lebanon,” and called on all political factions to “keep it away from any disputes to maintain the morale of the soldiers.”

“In light of the current paralysis that the state and its institutions are witnessing, and with the continuing disruption of the people's interests for unacceptable reasons, the Lebanese army remains the parent organization that protects the nation from the ongrowing risks from all sides,” said Jumblat in a statement.

“The army is worthy of being distanced from political debates so that it is capable of maintaining the high morale of soldiers to be able to carry out the tasks entrusted to it .”

“Targeting the army does not give any benefits. Preserving stability is much more important than any other,” the PSP leader concluded.

Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun accused army troops on Thursday of starting the confrontations with the FPM protesters on July 9 near the Grand Serail, putting the blame squarely on “the Army Command.”

Aoun had called on his supporters to take to the streets during that cabinet session to protest what he described as “the encroachment on the Christian president's powers in the absence of a head of state.”

Lebanon has been without a president since the term of Michel Suleiman's term ended in May.

D.A.

Y.R.