Qahwaji: Cases of Arsal Martyrs, Abducted Troops Will Remain a Priority until Justice is Achieved

Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji stressed on Tuesday that the cases of the soldiers abducted in the northeastern border town of Arsal and those killed in the clashes in the area earlier in August will remain a priority for the military.

He said: “These cases will remain a priority until complete justice is achieved.”

He made his remarks while meeting a delegation from the families of the soldiers who were killed in the clashes that erupted on August 2.

Qahwaji hailed the troops' “courage and exceptional heroism.”

“The blood of the martyrs that was shed at the battlefield protected Lebanon against fragmentation and collapse,” he added.

“Their blood helped thwart strife,” declared the army chief.

Clashes broke out between the army and Islamist militants in Arsal on August 2 upon the arrest of Imad Jomaa, a member of the al-Qaida-affiliated al-Nusra Front.

Nineteen soldiers were killed in the unrest that ended with the withdrawal of the gunmen from the town on August 7.

The militants abducted however 34 soldiers and security forces members.

A Muslim Scholars Committee delegation has been tasked with negotiating their freedom, resulting in the release of two of the detainees over the weekend.

M.T.

S.D.B.