Qahwaji: We'll Tighten Noose on Suspect Groups, Won't Leave Any Area to Chaos

Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji on Friday announced that the army will “tighten the noose” on suspicious groups that might pose a threat to the country's security, noting that the military will not leave any Lebanese area “under the mercy of security chaos.”

“The army does not fight anyone over their ideologies, but rather because of the attacks they launch against citizens and soldiers,” Qahwaji said during a meeting with the army's senior and junior officers.

“The terrorist and suicide operations that Lebanon is witnessing are rejected by all the Lebanese and these acts are alien to our Lebanese society, and as much as the mission is difficult, we are determined not to be lenient,” Qahwaji added, noting that “the army has stepped up its readiness and intensified its measures to pursue these cells and tighten the noose on every suspect group.”

The army chief underlined that the military “will not renounce its right to impose stability and prevent autonomous security.”

“We stress that our firm decision is to prevent strife in Lebanon and we will not leave any region under the mercy of security chaos. We won't leave Tripoli and we won't leave any other area,” Qahwaji added.

And as he described the army's status as “excellent,” he highlighted the desire of Arab and foreign countries to boost its capabilities due to their “faith in the role of the military institution.”

“Lebanon is going through a critical phase of its history as we still have no cabinet and concerns are growing regarding the presidential vote, and amid the security challenges, the army remains the country's security valve,” Qahwaji added.

Separately, the army chief called on officers to distance themselves from politics and not to be affiliated with any politician.

“It is prohibited for anyone to insult the army and seek ties with officers in favor of any political group or party, as your only leadership must be the army command and your loyalty must only be for the army,” Qahwaji told officers.