Qahwaji Vows to 'Root Out' Terrorists, Lauds Army for Thwarting their Plot

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Army chief Gen. Jean Qahwaji hailed troops for thwarting the “dream” to form a terrorist “Emirate” in Lebanon, vowing to root out radicals and secure the release of hostages.

Qahwaji warned in his Order of the Day that Independence Day comes as “Lebanon faces the biggest terrorist plot in the entire region.”

“You thwarted the plot … to form an emirate of darkness (that spans) from the nation's eastern border to the coast,” he said, addressing troops.

Had the terrorists succeeded in their plan, there would have been “devastating sectarian consequences,” said Qahwaji. “We would have also entered a whirlpool of civil war.”

The army commander said last month that the Islamic State group and al-Nusra Front militants wanted to ignite civil war and create a passage to Lebanon's coastline by linking the Syrian Qalamoun mountains with Arsal on the northeastern border and the northern district of Akkar.

Media reports said that several terrorists arrested by the army in the past weeks have admitted to the plot.

“Our decision is clear. The fight against these organizations will continue,” Qahwaji said, promising “to root out the terrorists from Lebanon.”

He also promised to continue to exert all efforts to guarantee the freedom of soldiers and policemen who were taken captive by the jihadists from Arsal.

The militants from the IS and al-Nusra Front overran Arsal in August and took with them the hostages. They later executed three of them.

Qahwaji said the army was able to garner the support of the Lebanese people through its unity.

“On the 71st anniversary of the independence, the people are looking at you as a symbol for the nation's sovereignty and independence and as the protector of its coexistence,” he told troops.

But Qahwaji lamented that the Independence Day ceremony will not be held on Saturday over the vacuum at Baabda Palace.

This is the second time since the expiry of President Michel Suleiman's term in May that Lebanese soldiers failed to make a military parade.

In August, the traditional parade held to mark Army Day was canceled.

Qahwaji hoped a president would be elected “swiftly,” a move, which he said would contribute to the consolidation of constitutional institutions.

Comments 11
Missing humble 21 November 2014, 12:33

For the moment there is one criminal and traitor destroying the Christians for his own personal interest.

Missing peace 21 November 2014, 14:36

give us a city where ISIS has a base? tell us where ISIS has a training camp in Lebanon?
so yes there is no lebanese ISIS... they come from syria but have no base in Lebanon.. that is what is meant despite your petty hezbi propaganda...
but the terrorist hezbollah is a sad reality that dragged Lebanon into this war... i m sure you are proud of this as a true non lebanese you are....

Missing peace 21 November 2014, 14:51

just as if you said ISIS was in France because dozens of ISIS fighters come from there... LOL

Missing peace 21 November 2014, 15:28

has qahwaji said that ISIS have a base in Lebanon? no...
as i said it is like saying that isis has a base in France... LOL

so keep on talking and talking and talking but you cannot deny the facts... as usual....

Missing peace 21 November 2014, 16:10

having sympathizers or even cells made of a few illuminated fanatics is not the same as saying that ISIS is established in Lebanon... if you fail to see the difference then that is another matter.....

Thumb Mystic 21 November 2014, 16:59

@peace

Tripoli, Akkar, Arsal. How much longer do you want the list? ISIS has sleeper cells all over Lebanon, so you better drop the Rifi ego. It won't safe your takfiris.

Missing humble 21 November 2014, 15:15

@southern....No and one million Nos...if there is someone who lacks logic and reasoning it is YOU. You are not even able to realize that the caporal is a servile agent to Syria and Iran.

Default-user-icon +oua nabka + (Guest) 21 November 2014, 15:23

god bless our LAF

Missing persianemperor 21 November 2014, 17:15

Army chief Gen. Jean Qahwaji can stop angling for the presidency as former Army chief Gen. Michel Aoun has put the kibosh on it when he insisted that he will only attend Parliament to elect a president if all parties guarantee to only chose between him and Geagea.

Missing persianemperor 21 November 2014, 17:24

My name is General Michel Aoun and I approve this message
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6i_1BLctL4

Default-user-icon PEACE (Guest) 21 November 2014, 23:55

For sure there are cells of the "death cult" exaggerated by Otv and alManar for political issues.
However all other Lebanese "Wise Sunnis, Christians and Shiite" must continue a intensify their support to our ARMY savior of the country.
It is in the own benefit of HA (not to mention the insignicant puppets aounis) to abide by the Legitimate army rules and END their disastrous venture in Syria.
The minister of justice (like Hriri) is simply trying his best to control the situation.