Army chief vows no space for terrorism in Lebanon

Lebanon's army chief said on Wednesday that his country will not allow space for terrorism, while the country's persistent political deadlock will not thwart the army from its national defense duty.

"The army will not allow terrorism to lay foot in Lebanon," said Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji in his speech at the Beirut Bar Association marking the National Day of the Lebanese Army's Martyrs.

He added that "the army is committed to confronting terrorism with all of its strength and decisiveness."

Qahwaji stressed that the army was able to neutralize the capabilities of terrorist groups along the country's eastern border, pointing that "troops have also dismantled most terrorist cells in Lebanon."

Over the months, the Lebanese army has launched multiple battles against the Islamic State (IS) militant group and al-Qaida linked Al-Nusra Front.

Last August, jihadist fighters from the two groups briefly seized the Lebanese border town of Arsal, and captured a number of Lebanese soldiers and police.

The Al-Nusra group executed four soldiers later while the IS beheaded another one. The terrorists are still holding 25 Lebanese.

It is reported that the Islamists have long been negotiating with the Lebanese authorities over a prisoner-swap plan, according to which Beirut would need to agree to release some captured militants in exchange for the seized soldiers. Endit