Baroud: The Lebanese army is a ‘red line’

Lebanon’s Interior Minister Ziad Baroud on Sunday said a demand for a weapons-free Beirut is not a push-button issue, stressing that the Lebanese army is a red line.

“The government must take measures. The citizens want answers and ask ‘where is State authority?’ It cannot stand by and watch what happened,” Baroud said in reference to Tuesday’s bloody street battles in Borj Abi Haidar. (more…)

Analysis: U.S. weighs tough choice over aid for Lebanon

The State Department has strongly defended the military aid to Lebanon, saying that withdrawing the money could create a dangerous vacuum.

Jumblatt calls for revival of compulsory military service

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt urged the government to give early retirement incentives to veteran officers in order to rebuild a youthful army.

He said such a step could be accompanied by a decision to bring back compulsory military service, (more…)

Defense minister establishes Army fund

Defense Minister Elias Murr announced Saturday the establishment of a fund and bank account at Lebanon’s Central Bank to support the armament of the Lebanese army. Murr and MP Michel Murr made a LBP 1 billion donation for the fund. (more…)

Key terrorist leader killed by Lebanese Army

Lebanese troops on Saturday killed two Islamic militants including a head of the al-Qaida-inspired Fatah al-Islam which fought the army three years ago, a military spokesman said.

“Abdul Rahman Awadh, one of the key leaders of Fatah al-Islam,” was killed along with another militant known as Abu Bakr during clashes in the eastern Bekaa Valley region, the spokesman said. (more…)

Berri/ Jumblatt: Spies don’t belong to any single sect

Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri called for punishing all Lebanese who have collaborated with the Israeli Mossad and urged the judiciary to assume its duties in this regard.

“As long as the issue of spy networks has reached the point of threatening Lebanon, all spies should be punished,” (more…)

Lebanese, Foreigners offer to support Lebanon army

The presidential office said in a statement that it has been receiving scores of calls from Lebanon and foreign countries praising the initiative of President Michel Suleiman to arm the military. .

The statement said the callers have expressed readiness to contribute to the arming of the military and equip it (more…)

Army warns against rumors over spying for Israel

The Lebanese Army on Sunday issued a warning to those who are spreading rumors that claim the army personnel are spying for Israel:
“Those spreading rumors on the involvement of military personnel in the issue of spying for Israel would be summoned for interrogation.” The army command warned.

In a statement the Army Command warned against (more…)

Lebanon committed to building up army

Lebanon said Saturday it was committed to building up its armed forces after complaints by Israel about Western assistance to the military following a deadly border clash between the two countries.

Two Lebanese soldiers, a Lebanese journalist and a senior Israeli officer were killed (more…)

Geagea: Give the army a chance to defend Lebanon

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea told the Central News Agency (al Markaziyeh) on Wednesday that the Lebanese army has enough military capabilities to defend Lebanon “if it were given the opportunity to do so.”

“Lebanon’s defense strategy is the Lebanese army … and despite the imbalance of power between the Lebanese and Israeli armies … (more…)