Berri Lauds Army's Latest Operation, Urges Political-Security Confrontation

Speaker Nabih Berri has hailed the Lebanese army on its latest operation against militants on the outskirts of a northeastern town, describing it as one of the best militaries in the region.

“The preemptive operation that was carried out by the Lebanese army last week on the outskirts of Ras Baalbek is an important achievement,” Berri told his visitors.

“It created an equation that gives it the odds in confronting terrorism,” he said.

The army on Friday targeted militant posts on the outskirts of Ras Baalbek, a day after it seized two hilltop positions.

The military frequently clashes with the militants in their hideouts near the Syria border.

The threat of the fighters from al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State group rose in August last year when they overran the northeastern border town of Arsal and engaged in heavy clashes with troops.

The militants also took with them hostages from the military and police.

Despite its ability to fight terrorists, the army lacks numbers, equipment and sometimes political decision, said Berri, whose remarks were published in several dailies on Tuesday.

“It would have made more achievements had all these factors been available,” he said.

The speaker also warned that many dangers are looming on the horizon, which require “the best political and security deployment to confront them.”

Berri lamented that political leaders did not heed his call to have an additional 5,000 conscripts in the army.

“They would have been in service by now,” he said.

The speaker reiterated that “it is necessary to invest in security which guarantees national gains.”

G.K.

H.K.