Qahwaji: Army Committed to Protecting Parliamentary Elections

Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji renewed on Wednesday the army's commitment to steering Lebanon clear from regional conflicts and providing the sufficient protection ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections.

He said: “The army is committed to protecting the elections and the people's rights to express themselves under the political authority in order to preserve the country's unity, sovereignty, and independence.”

“The army is not affiliated to any political party or faction,” he stressed.

“Political parties and factions do not wield any influence over it,” he declared.

The army chief stated that Lebanon was able, despite its limited means, to control the Lebanese-Syrian border and implement United Nations Security Council resolution 1701.

“The army succeeded in implementing a security plan in the North in light of the repercussions of the Syrian crisis on the region,” Qahwaji said.

“The army thwarted the spread of regional strife to Lebanon … and it is committed to remaining neutral from these regional developments,” he stressed.

“We will cooperate with friendly nations in order to prevent new wars from being waged on Lebanese land,” he remarked.