Kahwaji: International Force Gives Out “Israeli” Lists of Houses for Weapon-Search

Local Editor

Lebanese Army Chief, Brigadier General Jean Kahwaji, confirmed that the recent events witnesses in the south will not happen again on the basis of resolution 1701, stressing that he guarantees the Lebanese's army's pledge to protect all members and troops of the UNIFIL, providing it with the freedom of movement within the articles of resolution 1701.

In an interview with An-Nahar newspaper, Lebanese Army Chief considered that what's been spoken about, over decreasing the number of army troops has no excuse, especially that the number of soldiers has increased in a year and a half.

Kahwaji stressed, "The army did not change anything in its chores map", denying any talk about a change in jobs or any change in the nature of its work in order to get along with what resolution 1701 demands.

Jean Kahwaji denied that he had obstructed any UNIFIL mission, referring that they had never stopped the international movement, yet some incidents occurred, giving the atmosphere that there had been some misconceptions, but the Lebanese army was capable to solve it.

In this context, Kahwaji revealed that the French troops once requested a tank-patrol in one of the southern villages, yet the army did not accept that tanks would be patrolling, for it is not allowed so, but after the French troops insisted, the army then suggested an alternative, which are tank carriers.

The second case, according to Kahwaji, was that sometimes international forces, UNIFIL send out "Israeli" lists of houses to be search, seeking for weapons. After knowing the source of the lists, the Lebanese Army refused such act, because it is not the army's duty to provide "Israeli" with safety.

Kahwaji referred that what happened in the south did not affect the army's relations with the French troops, where he said that a joint army-French UNIFIL troops aquatic maneuvers will take place next Saturday.

Furthermore, the Lebanese Army chief clarified that the international force understood the sensitivity of some troops filming some villages, where they promised to stop so.

"We are a 100% committed to prevent any assault on international forces. People in the south clinch the forces and vice versa, and as an army, people, and government, we want the international forces to remain as a protection for Lebanon. We guarantee the countries which sent their troops to help us, to provide their safety", Kahwaji said.

He added that they will not allow any attack on them, for the Lebanese army is responsible in the south, where sovereignty is theirs, and they have to provide the safety of international forces, "And so I pledge", Kahwaji concluded.