BEIRUT: The four-day Army offensive in north Lebanon is drawing to a close after troops made significant advances against Islamist militants, Prime Minister Tammam Salam said Monday.
“The decision has been made, and it is to be firm with terrorists and terrorism,” Salam told reporters on a flight to Berlin. “We cannot surrender or move backward.”
The premier is traveling to Germany for an international conference to support Lebanon amid the Syrian refugee crisis.
“The military confrontation was imposed on us by the terrorists,” Salam added. “But the patriotic stance was a choice, and it allowed the Army and security forces to confront this great challenge and succeed.”
But he cautioned that Lebanon's troubles may not be over, as security incidents are impossible to predict.
“I believe we have made real advances in imposing security and stability in Tripoli, the north and all over Lebanon,” he said.
The remarks came during the fourth day of an Army offensive in Tripoli and other parts of north Lebanon to root out militants.
The fighting was sparked after militants in Tripoli attacked an Army position near the old souks Friday night. At least 42 people were killed in the ensuing battles over the next three days in Tripoli and the northern towns of Minyeh, Mhamra and Bhenin.
Security sources told The Daily Star that 162 militants have been arrested as of mid-Monday across the north since the clashes broke out.
Salam is due to attend the latest conference of the International Support Groups for Lebanon over the Syrian refugee crisis.
“There are 29 countries and 10 international organizations working with German sponsorship to help Lebanon and neighboring countries carry the great burden of Syrian refugees,” he said.
More than 1.1 million Syrians have registered with the U.N. refugee agency in Lebanon since the outbreak of the neighboring crisis in March 2011.
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