In a letter addressed to the government on Sunday, Development and Liberation bloc Secretary-General, MP Anwar Khalil, strongly denounced any austerity measures pertaining to the Lebanese Army's budget.
"I am addressing this letter to our government, which is on the verge of approving the 2020 budget, in order to draw its attention in general, and the attention of the Minister of Defense in particular, that the austerity and reduction suffered by the National Army poses is a huge question mark regarding the unfairness towards the military institution," said Khalil.
He wished that the actual and visible waste channels in the country had been tackled instead, such as the electricity dossier which constitutes 39% of the total public debt, the maritime infringements, the telecommunications dossier, the tax and customs evasion, corruption and thefts in public administrations and institutions, and so on and so forth.
Khalil staunchly refused such unjust action towards the country's military institution, recalling its fallen martyrs and the huge sacrifices it continues to provide for the sake of preserving Lebanon's security and stability, with its soldiers remaining on alert 24/24 during summer and winter seasons to maintain security on all Lebanese borders.
"Our investment in the Army is a distinct investment and must receive the highest degree of appreciation and understanding, so we strongly oppose this dubious and unjustified reduction," Khalil underscored, urging the Defense Minister to reconsider the unfair austerity decision towards the nation's honorable institution and security protector.
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