Qahwaji Warns of Cabinet Standstill, Says Situation in Arsal Stable

Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji warned Thursday that the paralysis of the cabinet harms the country's security as ministers should continue to endorse decisions to fortify the situation in Lebanon.

Qahwaji's remarks came during a meeting with a delegation from al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc Wednesday.

He stressed that the situation in the northeastern border town of Arsal is stable, noting that the residents of the town are staunch supporters of the army.

The army chief soothed fears over battles between jihadists and Hizbullah fighters backed by Syrian army troops, saying: “Clashes are on the Syrian side of the outskirts.”

“Army units and intelligence information didn't observe any battles on the outskirts adjacent to Arsal yet,” sources close to the delegation quoted Qahwaji as saying in comments to al-Mustaqbal newspaper.

He pointed out that the army will continue to conduct patrols in the village and on high alert according to the military estimates.

Hizbullah has succeeded recently in achieving gains against al-Qaida-affiliate al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant on the outskirts of Syria's al-Qalamoun, compelling fighters to retreat from their positions.

The party insists it is fighting in Syria to prevent extremist groups from entering Lebanon.

On Wednesday, Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah declared that al-Nusra Front has suffered a “major defeat” at the hands of his group's fighters in the outskirts of the northeastern border town of Arsal, announcing that the battle against the IS group has started in the border region.

The Mustaqbal delegation so far met with Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Tammam Salam, former President Michel Suleiman, outgoing Kataeb party chief Amin Gemayel, and Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea.

The bloc aims at rallying political parties against Free Patriotic Movement's decision to paralyze cabinet if security and military appointments failed to take place and to discuss the situation in Arsal.

H.K.

G.K.