Aoun Chairs Higher Defense Council Meeting over Army's Battle Against Terror Groups
President Michel Aoun chaired a meeting of the Higher Defense Council on Tuesday at the Presidential Palace in Baabda to discuss the security situation in the country, as the army braces for a battle against jihadists, the State-run National News Agency reported.
The meeting was attended in the presence of Prime Minister Saad Hariri, the member Ministers and leaders of the military and security apparatuses, said NNA.
Aoun and Hariri reiterated the “government’s commitment to liberate Lebanese territories from terrorism, and commitment to the international coalition against it.”
They also stressed "not to miss any opportunity to combat and deter terrorism."
The Council's meeting came as the army braces for a military operation in the outskirts of the eastern border towns of al-Qaa and Ras Baalbek.
The battle aims to eliminate jihadists from the Islamic State terror group entrenched on the outskirts.
The Council keeps its decisions secret in implementation of the law, said NNA.
Aoun and Hariri held a closed-door meeting before the defense council went into session.
He also met with Army Commander Gen. Joseph Aoun.
According to MTV, the Army Commandeer said that he would set conditions related to the release of the abducted servicemen, shall an evacuation deal be reached with the Islamic State group.
Source: Naharnet
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