Kataeb Urges Supporting Army in 'Existential Battle', End to 'Boycott Democracy'

The Kataeb Party on Monday called for supporting the army in what it described as an “existential battle” and urged the rival political parties to end their boycott of parliamentary sessions aimed at electing a new president.

In a statement issued after its politburo's weekly meeting, the party warned that the situation in the country has become “highly dangerous” in light of “the malicious attacks against the army, the attempt to open a permanent military front in the Arsal-Labweh area, and the quest to expand the presence of armed groups in the North.”

It also cited Hizbullah's latest military operation against Israel in the Shebaa Farms and the continued abduction of Lebanese troops and policemen at the hands of jihadist group.

Accordingly, Kataeb called for “immediately embarking on electing a president and ending the heresy of 'the democracy of boycott',” stressing that MPs must go to parliament to “perform the duty of voting, in line with the stipulations of the Constitution, National Pact and national partnership.”

Turning to the security situation, the party urged “full support” for the army, saying it is “the first target” of the jihadist groups in “this existential battle.”

Kataeb called on the Lebanese factions to “refrain from doing anything that could obstruct its (the army's) national role” and to “postpone all questions until the battle of Lebanon's survival ends.”

The party also called for strict monitoring of the Lebanese-Syrian border and an “urgent” decision to halt the movement of refugees and gunmen.

Citing Lebanon's “inability to take in more refugees,” Kataeb said a plan must be devised for repatriating the displaced to safe areas inside Syria and to redistribute them to countries that have the ability to endure the burden.

Y.R.