Bahiyya Hariri addressing Kahwaji: You are entrusted now with what is left of the Lebanese state
8/3/2013 11:06:01 PM
Sidon lawmaker Bahiya Hariri on Saturday hosted an Iftar banquet at BIEL to honor the Lebanese army, which had to sacrifice scores of its members during deadly battles in Abra in east the southern city late June, as well as in sporadic clashes throughout the year mainly in the North and Bekaa regions bordering on war-ravaged Syria.
Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji attended the Ifatr on behalf of the President of the Republic Michel Sleiman, alongside a panel of MPs, representatives of Kataeb, Lebanese Forces and Future parties, Interior Minister, as well as top security chiefs, and figures representing spiritual leaders, among whom a representative of the vice head of the Higher Shiite Council.
"You are entrusted now with what is left of the Lebanese state. With your patriotism, sacrifices, keenness on all citizens, martyrs, and steadfastness, you can salvage the dream of the Lebanese of a fair and capable state. You are fated to bear all these pressures for the sake of the Lebanese, because you are their very last hope that their state persists," Hariri addressed the army chief, whom she was keen to decorate with a top appreciation shield.
The Deputy has been last week to Yarze, the seat of the army which she hailed as "the national cohesion institution," to present Qahwaji with an invitation to attend today's banquet.
Her move draw sharp rebuke among those who saw that the Deputy had failed to side with the military during Abra battles, which erupted as gunmen affiliated with controversial Salafist Ahmad Assir attacked an army checkpoint in Sidon.
"How is celebrating the Army Day a crime that deserves punishment in the eyes of the Lebanese? (...) The army is not a party, the army is a nation," she stressed.
Shedding light on the ailing sectors from the country, including water, education, public works, the political gridlock, and security, Hariri, also head of the Education House Committee, cried out, "Enough, enough with fear!"
Hariri, who devoted her speech today to heap praise on the army upon its 68th anniversary, underlined that no one was admitted to keep away from the military.
"The army should not be in one place and people in another. In order to become citizens, everyone must enter from the gate of national defense. It is unacceptable that we consider the army as an employee under our command. Whether we are all weak or we are all strong," she said.
"I say to the national army and its commander General Jean Qahwaji, as well as to the army staff and personnel: you cannot defend us if we do not all return to the national cohesion school," she added. "This is the national cohesion day. The day of defending the land and the Human. The day of living in security. The day of progress and prosperity. This is the day when everyone must reconsider themselves."
Hariri did not fail to highlight the dire need of a defense strategy, which she seeks to expand on all levels and sectors. "We need defense strategies in all fields so that we determine our strong points and weaknesses, and face our enemies, to rise with our nation, achieve stability and progress, and enjoy sovereignty and independence."
"On this occasion, I would like to address the President of the Republic General Michel Sleiman, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, the symbol of national unity, and the son of the military institution, with congratulation on this national day," she said.
"Also, I would like to say to the army command and personnel and to all security forces and the Lebanese: Do not be afraid to love your country and to defend your security and stability. It is our right all to live in security in our beloved country Lebanon," she concluded.
Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji attended the Ifatr on behalf of the President of the Republic Michel Sleiman, alongside a panel of MPs, representatives of Kataeb, Lebanese Forces and Future parties, Interior Minister, as well as top security chiefs, and figures representing spiritual leaders, among whom a representative of the vice head of the Higher Shiite Council.
"You are entrusted now with what is left of the Lebanese state. With your patriotism, sacrifices, keenness on all citizens, martyrs, and steadfastness, you can salvage the dream of the Lebanese of a fair and capable state. You are fated to bear all these pressures for the sake of the Lebanese, because you are their very last hope that their state persists," Hariri addressed the army chief, whom she was keen to decorate with a top appreciation shield.
The Deputy has been last week to Yarze, the seat of the army which she hailed as "the national cohesion institution," to present Qahwaji with an invitation to attend today's banquet.
Her move draw sharp rebuke among those who saw that the Deputy had failed to side with the military during Abra battles, which erupted as gunmen affiliated with controversial Salafist Ahmad Assir attacked an army checkpoint in Sidon.
"How is celebrating the Army Day a crime that deserves punishment in the eyes of the Lebanese? (...) The army is not a party, the army is a nation," she stressed.
Shedding light on the ailing sectors from the country, including water, education, public works, the political gridlock, and security, Hariri, also head of the Education House Committee, cried out, "Enough, enough with fear!"
Hariri, who devoted her speech today to heap praise on the army upon its 68th anniversary, underlined that no one was admitted to keep away from the military.
"The army should not be in one place and people in another. In order to become citizens, everyone must enter from the gate of national defense. It is unacceptable that we consider the army as an employee under our command. Whether we are all weak or we are all strong," she said.
"I say to the national army and its commander General Jean Qahwaji, as well as to the army staff and personnel: you cannot defend us if we do not all return to the national cohesion school," she added. "This is the national cohesion day. The day of defending the land and the Human. The day of living in security. The day of progress and prosperity. This is the day when everyone must reconsider themselves."
Hariri did not fail to highlight the dire need of a defense strategy, which she seeks to expand on all levels and sectors. "We need defense strategies in all fields so that we determine our strong points and weaknesses, and face our enemies, to rise with our nation, achieve stability and progress, and enjoy sovereignty and independence."
"On this occasion, I would like to address the President of the Republic General Michel Sleiman, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, the symbol of national unity, and the son of the military institution, with congratulation on this national day," she said.
"Also, I would like to say to the army command and personnel and to all security forces and the Lebanese: Do not be afraid to love your country and to defend your security and stability. It is our right all to live in security in our beloved country Lebanon," she concluded.