Defense Minister on Army Day: Military Institution Must Be Left out of Political Disputes

Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn congratulated on Tuesday the army on the occasion of Army Day, hoping that this occasion would serve as an opportunity to place national interests above all else.

He therefore urged in a statement “politicians to realize the importance of the critical phase in Lebanon and the region and allow it to perform its duties and keep it away from petty disputes.”

“The army should not be dragged into these disputes because harming it will harm the entire country,” he stressed.

Despite its modest means, the army was able to withstand the repercussions of the local and regional tensions and successfully avert strife in Lebanon, he continued.

Moreover, the minister said: “The various campaigns against the military institution will never be able to destroy the army, which has been fortified by the will of the people.”

Addressing the soldiers, Ghosn declared: “You are the country’s backbone and your institution will always protect all of the Lebanese.”

“All the attempts to target you will fail … and your determination will thwart all conspiracies,” he stressed.

“Given the current major challenges, we as politicians, have the responsibility to assist the army in performing its duties through supporting it and presenting it with all moral and financial means,” added the defense minister.

On Monday, Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji stressed that the military won’t allow the nation to be turned into a battleground for Syrian differences.

“No matter where the situation in Syria leads to, the army will be in utmost readiness to play its role and assume its national responsibilities in accordance with the decisions of the political authority in limiting the repercussions of these events on Lebanon, protecting the residents of border regions and preventing strife,” Qahwaji said.

On Sunday, the Army Command issued a stern statement against opposition al-Mustaqbal bloc MP Moeen al-Merehbi who accused the army chief of being a failure and responsible for civil strife in the country.

Merehbi also accused the army of becoming a bystander in the repeated violations of Syrian forces of Lebanon’s border.

The military has done nothing to stop the displacement of Akkar residents who are fleeing their homes over the border clashes and shelling, he said.

But the army snapped back, saying it is a lawmaker’s duty to preserve the army and not abuse his parliamentary immunity by attacking the military and creating a dispute between Akkar and the armed forces.