Kataeb Urges 'Military Zone' on Eastern Border, Says Dialogue Priority Must be Electing President

The Kataeb Party called Monday for controlling the border and declaring the eastern border region a "military zone" as it urged the Lebanese parties to speed up the ongoing dialogues in order to elect a president.

In a statement issued after the weekly meeting of its political bureau, Kataeb expressed its “confidence in the Lebanese Army and its role in defending its citizens and land, as well as its pride in the unity among Lebanese every time the country is facing a dangerous test.”

The party also offered “its deep condolences to the Army Command and the martyrs' families over the death of the soldiers” in recent clashes with extremist groups in the outskirts of the Bekaa border town of Ras Baalbek.

"What happened in Ras Baalbek cost the military institution heroes who joined a long list of their colleagues, and it was an attempt to attract Lebanon into the Syrian war by creating new facts on the ground on the the eastern border,” it added.

Kataeb called for “controlling the border and declaring the eastern border region a military zone” as it urged “the speedy implementation of the Bekaa's security plan.”

The army announced on Friday that eight of its troops were killed and several others wounded in clashes with terrorists in the Tallat al-Hamra region in Ras Baalbek's outskirts.

Kataeb also urged “the parties to speed up the dialogues among them or limit their agendas to one topic – the election of a president.”

“This will send a strong message to all those trying to harm the country,” the party added.

It was referring to separate talks that got underway between Hizbullah and al-Mustaqbal movement and between the Free Patriotic Movement and the Lebanese Forces.

Separately, Kataeb stated that “the party feels sorry for the loss of King Abdullah, who had always expressed his love towards Lebanon and supported Lebanon's causes.”

"We offer our deep condolences over the death of King Abdullah and wish King Salman success in leading his nation,” it added.

King Salman acceded to the throne last Friday after his half-brother King Abdullah died aged about 90, following a reign of almost 10 years.

M.Y.

Y.R.