In his sermon delivered during the mass held in the presence of LAF Chief General Jean Kahwagi, Rai said that the Lebanese government, people and politicians have the duty of supporting the Lebanese army and appreciating the sacrifices presented to save the country and prevent terrorist attacks from harming its stability.
In this context, the patriarch hoped that the politicians will follow the example of the LAF soldiers, in terms of prioritizing national interests over personal benefits, urging the deputies to elect a new president as soon as possible.
The army said at least 30 other ISF and LAF soldiers were missing and 86 injured in the fighting.
On Thursday (August 07), a military source stated that a truce in Arsal appeared to be holding and the situation in the border town was quiet.
Lebanese security officials say the fighters include members of al Qaeda's Syria branch, the Nusra Front, and an al Qaeda splinter group, the Islamic State, which has seized swathes of land in Syria and Iraq.