Lebanese Army Disarms Israeli Missiles and Bombs; Sponsor Calls for Arming and Fair Treatment of Military Personnel

Beirut – Mansour Shaaban

Yesterday, the Lebanese Army announced the dismantling of unexploded rockets and bombs from Israeli military remnants in the towns of Dabin (Marjayoun), Zoutar al-Gharbiya, Houmayn al-Fawqa, Zebdine, and Ad-Dawr (Nabatieh). This came amid low-altitude drone flights over Sidon and a major explosion in the town of Zoutar al-Sharqiya.

Meanwhile, Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bechara al-Ra'i, in his Sunday sermon in the town of Harf Muzayara, in the Zgharta district, said: “Lebanon is in dire need of a faith that does not break in the face of silence, does not retreat before closed doors, and does not allow pain to turn into surrender.” He added, “Barriers have multiplied before our homeland, but it must remain steadfast in its demand for life, sovereignty, and dignity.”

Al-Ra'i affirmed that “in our national cause, we pray that ongoing negotiations and efforts yield a just and lasting peace that preserves Lebanon, halts aggressions, leads to withdrawal from our land, enables the return of displaced persons to their villages, and launches the reconstruction workshop.” He reiterated: “We stand alongside the Lebanese Army, which is the nation’s unifying institution, calling for its strengthening, arming, and justice for its soldiers, so that the state alone holds the authority of law and the decision on war and peace.” He pointed out that “we stand with the poor and the sick, retired and military employees, and with the head of a household who is unable to provide for his family’s livelihood, and with the young man who sees his future emigrating before his eyes.”

He called for “genuine reform, not just slogans; an independent judiciary; transparent administration; accountability that excludes no one; and the full disclosure of the truth in the crime of the Beirut port explosion. There is no state without accountability.”

For his part, Metropolitan Elias Khoury, the Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Beirut and its dependencies, said: “The world today does not need parties and associations that sing praises of rights, but rather officials and leaders who do not indulge in excessive talk and promises, but work silently for the common good.”

For his part, MP Brigadier General Ashraf Rifi issued a statement saying: “Brotherhood is not achieved by interfering in the affairs of Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Lebanon, and others, nor by supporting armed forces that overstep their borders and weaken their institutions, while others are asked to respect Iran and its sovereignty.”

Meanwhile, Leader of the Kataeb Party MP Samy Gemayel, during an oath-taking ceremony for new party members in Bekfaya, said: “One whose decisions, weapons, and financing are tied to the outside world is not in a position to distribute accusations against those working today to protect Lebanon and extricate it from the crises brought about by previous choices.”

Gemayel expressed his support for President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, considering that campaigns targeting them contradict the participation of their initiators in the government. He said: “Anyone who believes that the President of the Republic or the government does not represent the national interest must bear responsibility for their stance and leave power.”