Beirut (AsiaNews) - The national army should be "for all Lebanese" and "impartially" guarantee "security and peace for all". This is the wish expressed by Maronite patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir on the occasion of the visit that the new commander of the army, General Jean Kahwaji, made yesterday to the patriarchal see in Bkerke. On that occasion, Cardinal Sfeir also affirmed that he is praying for the good result of the "national dialogue" that will begin this week, at the initiative of the president of the republic, Michel Suleiman.
General Kahwaji (in the photo) visited Bkerke together with his wife and two children, and therefore not in an official capacity, attending Sunday Mass. It was during the ceremony that the patriarch spoke about the army. Expressing his disappointment over the clashes that have taken place recently in Tripoli, the Bekaa Valley, and Mount Lebanon, the cardinal then expressed his hope that the army will wish to act as "the army of all Lebanon, and guarantee security and peace for all the Lebanese".
"We pray", he added, "for the success of the national dialogue called for by President Michel Sleiman next week and we hope all Lebanese forget their disputes and achieve rapprochement, since this is the only means to lead Lebanon back to stability, prosperity, and peace".
For his part, General Kahwaji said in a recent interview with As-Safir that he wants to respond to the expectations of the soldiers, and asked for consideration in the state budget, emphasizing that the army does not want to shirk its responsibilities, and affirming his own intention not to overlook any opportunity to reinforce the army in the number of its soldiers, its equipment, and training. For the benefit of all Lebanese.