Berri Lauds Army's Uncompromising Role against Militants

Speaker Nabih Berri hailed the Lebanese army for "eradicating" terrorist groups in the northern city of Tripoli and nearby areas without making any compromises.

“The Lebanese army is one of the strongest militaries in the region but lacks arms and ammunition,” Berri told As Safir daily in remarks published on Tuesday.

He lauded troops for not compromising with the militants in the clashes that took place in Tripoli and in the nearby town of Bhannine.

Lebanese soldiers were in control Monday of the Tripoli neighborhood of Bab al-Tabbaneh once a base for militants after several days of fierce fighting that killed and injured dozens and forced thousands to flee.

The fighting was the deadliest bout of Syria-related violence in Lebanon's second city since the 2011 outbreak of the civil war in Syria. It was also the first to pit Islamists against the army in Tripoli.

Berri discussed the issue with U.S. Ambassador David Hale on Monday.

The diplomat said following his meeting with Berri in Ain el-Tineh that the U.S. “condemns those who seek to sow chaos and discord in Lebanon.”

“The army and the state’s security institutions alone have the legitimate role of defending Lebanon, under the direction of the government,” he said.

In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki made similar comments.

She said the U.S. supports Lebanese security forces fighting militants and praised what she called a "strong stand" against the threat by Prime Minister Tammam Salam.

She expressed confidence that “the Lebanese people will persevere if they stand united in the face of this threat.”

G.K.

H.K.