Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji stressed that politicians have a responsibility to work on restoring calm in the northern city of Tripoli, reported As Safir newspaper on Friday.

He told the newspaper: “More than half of the gunmen in Tripoli are under the politicians’ influence.”

“They therefore are obligated to order them to withdraw from the street and work on easing the heated political rhetoric,” he noted.

“They should create a suitable atmosphere to harbor the army since it remains the Lebanese people’s first and last resort,” declared Qahwaji.

He stressed: “If the army’s authority is destroyed, then nothing will remain of the military institution.”

Strengthening the institution must be a priority for the politicians because its empowerment will reassure the Lebanese people, continued the army commander... continue reading