BEIRUT: Israel and Islamist militants seek to ignite civil war in Lebanon, General Security head Abbas Ibrahim wrote in an editorial published Thursday, though he added that Lebanon’s victory was inevitable. “Independence Day arrives while Lebanon battles against the odds ... in an ordeal not destined to end until [Lebanon’s] inevitable victory in the battle for existence and identity in the face of organized terrorism is achieved,” Ibrahim said in the article for the November issue of General Security Magazine. Independence Day falls on Nov. 22.
He added that terrorist groups were seeking to strike at Lebanon through sparking sectarian strife, and set the stage for a civil war by targeting the military institution and other security agencies.
“Zionism is just as dangerous as takfiri terrorism,” he said.
Ibrahim said that takfiri groups – in a clear reference to ISIS and the Nusra Front – in addition to Israel, had similar objectives, and that each party “is trying to strengthen the other’s status.”
“It is no secret to anyone that their [Israelis and takfiris] relationship is overt and implicit,” he wrote.
Ibrahim reiterated that Israel and “takfiri” terrorism still posed the most dangerous threat to Lebanon, and added that confronting them was possible, as long as Lebanon freed itself from the “foreign actors that make some people depend on them directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally.”
Ibrahim highlighted that all Lebanese championed coexistence and moderation, which provided them with immunity against falling again into the trap of civil war.
Lebanon has been on the offensive against militants since ISIS and Nusra Front jihadists briefly overran the northeastern border town of Arsal in August. They are still holding 27 Lebanese soldiers and policemen.
The Lebanese Army cracked down on Islamist militants in and around the northern city of Tripoli last month.
The Army has arrested more than 300 militants across Lebanon in recent weeks.
Ibrahim said that the protection of Lebanon was the responsibility of all Lebanese.
“Military and security institutions are on the front lines and are in need of backing and a favorable environment, and here lies the role of the people,” Ibrahim wrote.
“The defenders of the nation are also in need of moral support that helps them to assume their patriotic duties during difficult circumstances with commitment,” Ibrahim said.
He wrote that cooperation between the Army and the people produced dynamism that was needed during difficult times.
No comments:
Post a Comment