Religious and political officials condemn the Arsal attack

Grand Mufti Mohammad Rashid Qabbani denounced on Saturday the attack on the Lebanese Army in Arsal, stressing that this attack targets all the Lebanese people and their security.

The Mufti added that targeting “Lebanese soldiers is strictly forbidden.”

For his part, Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Beshara Boutros Rai stressed that the security apparatuses must track down the violators, urging the Lebanese judiciary to prosecute them and punish severely so they would be an example for others.

Rai called on the politicians and the security forces to monitor the circulation of arms among civilians because the presence of extremist armed groups is threating the Lebanese citizens.

This as, LF chief Samir Geagea condemned the “blatant assault” against army members, stressing that the Lebanese state and its armed forces are the sole authority responsible of security in Lebanon.

Hezbollah also denounced the incident, stressing that all Lebanese factions support the Lebanese Army.

The party urged the concerned authorities to take all necessary measures to prevent the repetition of a similar attack and to prosecute the involved people. PM Najib Mikati condemned any attack against the LAF, stressing that the army’s duty is protecting the nation and its citizens.  

Mikati was informed about the Arsal incident circumstances by Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn and Army Commander Jean Kahwaji who also briefed him about the measures taken to control the situation and arrest the violators.  

Mikati called on Arsal residents to cooperate with the Lebanese Army and surrender those who were involved in the attack.

Qabbani, Rai, Geagea, Hezbollah and Mikati expressed their sincere condolences to the families of the victims, the LAF and the Lebanese people.