Murr after meeting Suleiman: things are back on track

Former Lebanese Defense Minister Elias Murr met with President Michel Suleiman for the first time since New TV aired its “Truth Leaks” series earlier this year in which the former minister criticized Suleiman for his performance while he was the Army Commander. (more…)

STL meeting with Murr over his attempted assassination

LBC reported that an STL delegation is meeting with former Defense Minister Elias al-Murr at Prosecutor General Said Mirza’s office to address his 2005 attempted assassination. (more…)

MP Murr to grant his vote of confidence to new cabinet

MP Michel al-Murr revealed on Tuesday that he will grant his vote of confidence to the newly-formed Lebanese cabinet headed by Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

“I cannot withhold the vote of confidence to a cabinet in which Speaker Nabih Berri is represented,” Murr was quoted as saying by the National News Agency , following talks with Berri in Ain al-Tineh. (more…)

Murr: UK supports Lebanon & Army

Defense Minister Elias Murr, who is currently in the UK on an official visit said Wednesday after meeting his British counterpart in London that he received U.K.’s support for Lebanon and its army.

Murr said he discussed with British Defense Secretary Liam Fox ways to boost ties between the two countries and strengthen the Lebanese army’s capabilities.

Murr: Ouyoun Orgosh incident should not be politicized.

Following his meeting with Lebanon’s Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir on Tuesday, Defense Minister Elias al-Murr said that the recent Ouyoun Orgosh incident is being handled by legal authorities and should not be politicized.

His comment comes after several figures from the March 8 alliance pointed their finger at the Lebanese Forces, when Lebanese authorities on Saturday found drugs and weapons in Ouyoun Orgosh, which is believed to be an LF stronghold. (more…)

Lebanon DM opposes integration Hezbollah arms with LAF

Lebanon’s Defense Minister Elias al-Murr told Al-Manar television on Monday that he does not support integrating the arms of the Resistance within the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF).
“There are some [Lebanese] annoyed by [the existence of] Hezbollah’s arms, and I could be one of them,” he said, adding, “However, this does not mean we should offer Israel a favor [and disarm Hezbollah].” (more…)

Lebanon’s DM defends the president

During a phone interview with MTV network on Thursday Lebanon’s Defense Minister Elias Murr stressed that “the stances of President Michel Suleiman have salvaged Lebanon and put it back on the international map,” rejecting “any attempt at separating between the president and the presidency position.”

Murr added: ” The Doha Accord took place and  we elected a consensus and  a referee president instead of a biased one.” (more…)

Lebanese Army strategy and roadmap sees vast improvements

Talks between Defense Minister Elias Murr and U.S. officials on supporting the Lebanese army have reached agreement on several points, including military aid that will arrive early next month as well as army needs for the coming three, five and 10 years.

U.S. sources said the Lebanese army has made a “qualitative leap” in the presentation of its strategy.

The U.S. government, however, expressed the need for a strategic vision in the form of a military plan for the development of the Lebanese Army in order to help guide U.S. Assistance Programs to meet Lebanese needs.
Murr said he was satisfied with the meetings in Washington “since the Lebanese army now has a road map for its needs.”

“The Lebanese army also has a clear strategy – ‘what army for what mission’ – for the first time since independence (from France),” Murr added.

U.S. ready to provide Lebanon with attack aircraft by 2013

As Safir newspaper has reported that The United States is ready to provide the Lebanese army by 2013 with aircraft designed for light attack to improve its capabilities in reconnaissance missions and counter-insurgency operations.The The Pentagon has proposed to provide Lebanon with either US made Hawker-Beechcraft AT-6 or Brazilian made Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano planes.
The proposal came during talks between the Lebanese army delegation and U.S. military officials in Washington, DC. The Lebanese army delegation is accompanying Defense Minister Elias Murr during his visit to the U.S. capital.
Despite the worst weather in over a century , Murr was able to meet with several U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Thursday.
Murr’s meeting with U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon in New York was canceled due to the severe snow storm slamming the East Coast. Murr and his accompanying military delegation return to Beirut on Saturday. As Safir said.

UNIFIL chief promised better coordination with Lebanon army

Lebanon army chief General Kahwaji discussed with UNIFIL Commander Maj. Gen. Alberto Asarta Cuevas the abduction of Rabih Zahra in addition to ways to improve cooperation between the two forces.
The UNIFIL chief also met earlier Defense Minister Murr and said he will do his best to prevent any incidents in the south Lebanon in addition to improving the cooperation between the UNIFIL and the Lebanese Army on many levels.