Qahwaji: We Will Confront Any Internal Conflict that Infringes on Democracy

Army chief Gen. Jean Qahwaji on Monday vowed the military will confront any internal strife that infringes on democracy, and will “strike” any attempt to divide the nation.

In his Order of the Day on Lebanon's 69th Independence anniversary, Qahwaji said: “The army will preserve the nation and democracy, and will be against any side that contradicts coexistence that all Lebanese have agreed on.”

The military will also “strike any attempt to divide (the country) or nationalize” Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, he said.

Qahwaji vowed to support all parties that keep their political differences under the “constitution's ceiling” but said the military will “confront any internal conflict that infringes on democracy.”

Lebanon regularly witnesses deadly armed clashes between different factions, the latest of which were gunbattles in several Beirut neighborhoods and the northern city of Tripoli in the aftermath of the Oct. 19 assassination of Internal Security Forces intelligence chief Wissam al-Hasan.

The southern city of Sidon also lately witnessed deadly fighting between Hizbullah and supporters of Salafist cleric Sheikh Ahmed al-Asir over party banners.

Addressing troops in his Order of the Day, Qahwaji said soldiers will respect the military institution and work strongly to safeguard Lebanon as a single land for all the Lebanese and a free and independent nation.

Lebanon will celebrate Independence Day on Thursday.