Army Mourns New Martyr in Arsal Violence, Qahwaji Rejects 'Bargaining' over Kidnapped Soldiers' Freedom

The military institution mourned on Tuesday a corporal who was martyred during the army's clashes against extremist fighters in the northeastern town of Arsal, as Army Chief Maj. Gen. Jean Qahwaji assured that there will be no bargaining over the blood of the martyred troops and the freedom of kidnapped soldiers.

"We mourn Corporal Suhail Mohammed Hassan Dennawi who was martyred during the army's clashes against terrorist groups in Arsal” last week, the Army Command announced in a communique.

Dennawi, 27, hails from the northern city of Tripoli.

His death raises the soldiers and Internal Security Forces troops' death toll to 19.

The Arsal clashes erupted on August 2 following the arrest of a member of the al-Qaida affiliated Al-Nusra Front. More than 80 troops were wounded and 16 civilians killed in the Bekaa violence, as 19 soldiers and 17 security forces were held captive by the extremist militants.

Efforts and negotiations are still ongoing to release them.

In a related matter, Qahwaji on Tuesday met with a delegation of the kidnapped soldiers' families, and shared with them the latest information and updates in the efforts exerted to free them.

"The issue of the kidnapped soldiers is a priority for the military institution and we will use all available means to release them without any delay,” the Army Chief assured.

He added: “The army will not bargain over the blood of its martyrs, over its wounded troops or over the freedom of its kidnapped soldiers.”

"The army is ready for all options to preserve the safety of the missing troops and to free them,” he stated.

Also on Tuesday, an al-Mustaqbal bloc delegation visited the Arsal region to inspect the situation there following last weeks' violence.

"Arsal's choice remains that of the state, the Lebanese army and the official security institutions, just like our stance,” al-Mustaqbal MP Jamal al-Jarrah stated after talks with the town's municipality chief Ali al-Hujairi and the villages' prominent figures.

He continued: “These institutions have protected (Arsal) with blood and have offered martyrs to safeguard the military institution and security forces, and to prevent sedition.”

Addressing the people of the Bekaa town, he said: “ We thank your contribution (to efforts) to release the kidnapped soldiers... We thank you all because if it weren't for you, we wouldn't have been able to do anything.”

Al-Jarrah also hoped that the Arsal residents would continue treating the Syrian refugees who remain in the town “with kindness and cooperation... because they are oppressed just like us.”

"We heard about violations that happened and we promise you in the name of (former Premier Saad) Hariri that these offenses will be dealt with quickly to restore the situation back to normal and recreate harmony between you and state institutions.”

MP Ziad al-Qaderi said that the state's return back to Arsal is “as important as the return of the town's residents.”

S.D.B.

M.T.