Suleiman Urges Army Unity, Says Targeting it Would Lead to Strife
President Michel Suleiman stressed on Saturday that targeting the army would pave way for strife, conspiracy and chaos in Lebanon.
“Officers and the military institution play an important role in maintaining security and stability,” he said during a meeting with senior army officers at the Defense Ministry in Yarze.
He said the army is the “backbone” of the county and should stay united even if division among the Lebanese remains.
“We are obliged to support it and offer it our political and moral help,” Suleiman pointed out.
He also refused declaring a state of emergency in the country.
Lebanon witnessed earlier this month several security incidents as three men, including two sheikhs, were killed in separate shootings at army checkpoints.
On the resumption of the national dialogue, Suleiman considered that it reflects the ongoing contacts between the political foes during the latest crises that hit the country.
The president was hinting that the abduction of the 11 Shiite pilgrims in Aleppo had a positive effect on the ties between Speaker Nabih Berri and ex-Prime Minister Saad Hariri.
The ties between Berri and Hariri deteriorated after the March 8 forces toppled Hariri’s cabinet in 2011.
On Monday, the president invited all Lebanese factions for a national dialogue session on June 11 at the Baabda Palace.
“Dialogue is the way to benefit from the abilities of the people who sponsored the resistance at a certain stage,” the president said.
His meeting with army officers was held in the presence of Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn and Army Commander Brig. Gen. Jean Qahwaji.
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