Suleiman on Army Day: Dialogue Aimed at Avoiding Future Conflicts
Lebanon celebrated Army Day on Monday as President Michel Suleiman stressed on the importance of national dialogue and the adoption of an electoral law based on proportional representation.
The Army Day celebration took place at the Shukri Ghanem barracks in Fayyadiyeh and was attended by Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Najib Miqati and other high ranking officials led by Army Commander Gen. Jean Qahwaji.
National “dialogue is not only aimed at solving lingering issues but also avoiding future conflicts and safeguarding stability,” said Suleiman about his invitation for all-party talks.
Suleiman said a democratic system and rotation of power end excuses for violence. “There is a need for a balanced representation through the adoption of a new, modern and just electoral law.”
“Proportionality is an option that could receive the consensus of all Lebanese,” he told graduating officers, their families and the top officials attending the ceremony.
On the 66th anniversary of the military, he hailed the army for preserving the freedom of demonstration and expression, confronting Israel during the 2006 war, and battling terrorism in the clashes with Fatah al-Islam militants in the Palestinian refugee camp of Nahr al-Bared in 2007.
Referring to the clash between the Lebanese and Israeli troops in the area of Wazzani on Monday, he lauded the Lebanese army for confronting the Jewish state.
He confirmed his full commitment to U.N. Security Council resolution 1701 and condemned the attack on a UNIFIL patrol near Sidon. He stressed that Lebanese authorities would find the culprits and bring them to justice.
Suleiman also stressed on Lebanon’s right to regain control of all its Israeli occupied territories through legal means.
On the latest conflict with Israel over the oil and gas resources and their maritime borders, the president said: “We should work on demarcating and protection our maritime borders and preserving our rights in our territorial waters.”
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