NNA - President of the Republic, Michel Sleiman, confirmed Wednesday that those who perpetrated terrorist and subversive acts and attacked the army would be certainly prosecuted and punished.



Sleiman had been today to the Bekaa town of Arsal in northeast Lebanon, where three army soldiers were killed yesterday in an attack on their outpost.



The President called upon the military to keep vigil and ready to face looming challenges.



"These acts will not undermine the army's determination, role, and unity. The army enjoys full support of the government and the President, in his capacity as the Higher Commander of the armed forces," he said.



Sleiman arrived early morning at the casern of the land border battalion command in Ras Baalbeck, where he was received by army Chief General Jean Qahwaji.


He then moved to Arsal and inspected the outpost where the attack was staged.


As offering condolences to officers, he reminded that martyrdom was the fate of the soldier. "I came here to relay to you the love of citizens, their appreciation for the army, and their trust in you and relying on you to protect Lebanon's unity," he said.



He maintained that the army enjoys full support to devise necessary plans.



Sleiman returned afterwards to Ras Baalbeck and met with a brass of officers.



"I want to pay condolences not just for the martyrdom of soldiers who fell yesterday, but also for the martyrdom of Captain Pierre Bashaalani and Sergeant Ibrahim Zahraman, as well as those who fell in Tripoli," he said.



"If the army ever holds back from assuming its mission, (...) civil war is the cost," he warned.


Sleiman underlined that sectarianism did not exist among the army, flatly spurning talks about division herein. "People know that the army does not splinter," he stressed.



The President did not fail to shed light on "the huge conflagration next door," in reference to the 26-month-long crisis ravaging neighboring Syria.



As deploring Syria's painful events, he highlighted the obligation to protect Lebanon. "It is not advantageous to Syria if we destroy and burn ourselves. We must protect our country and brush away the spark that may come to us. If we could extinguish the fire in Syria, we would," he said.



"Only your unity can protect Lebanon. I am telling you, the future of Lebanon is very good," he reassured.



"Of Course, my trust in the army and the mission it is carrying on is unlimited," he concluded.


=============R.A.H.