Lebanon’s army launches an investigation into the clashes Beirut – Georges Chahine Lebanese authorities held a funeral for two officers killed in an armed ambush in Arsal over the weekend. Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji condemned the clashes. “We reject this premeditated crime committed against the army,” he said in a statement. “Those who believe our war on terrorism will halt are sadly mistaken,” he added.
“We will not accept a political compromise at the expense of the blood of martyrs Pierre Bashaalani and Ibrahim Zahraman,” he announced.
Bashaalani and Zahraman were killed in clashes in Arsal in Bekaa on Friday, while the army searched for a fugitive in the area.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati called for a military solution in the town, following the apprehending of militants responsible for the attack.
Mikati shunned the attack as “unacceptable,” meanwhile announcing the launch of a fact-finding mission to uncover Friday’s events.
The Prime Minister also offered his condolences to families affected by the violence.
Defence Minister Fayez Ghosn said: “The Lebanese army will not let this assault go unnoticed without accountability or punishment for the criminals responsible.”
\"Any attack on the Lebanese army is an attack on the entire nation and we will not tolerate this,” Ghosn said in a statement.