Cabinet Orders Recruitment of 12,000 Army, Security Forces Members
The cabinet hailed on Thursday the army for protecting Lebanon against the assault of jihadists from Syria in the northeastern town of Arsal, announcing that it has approved an increase in the number of army and security forces recruits.
Information Minister Ramzi Jreij announced that the cabinet approved the increase of recruits by 12,000.
Cabinet had convened under Prime Minister Tammam Salam at the Grand Serail.
The meeting was attended by Army chief General Jean Qahwaji, Internal Security Forces chief Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Basbous, General Security chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim, head of State Security Gen. George Qaraa and Army Intelligence chief Brig. Gen. Edmond Fadel.
Qahwaji informed the cabinet of the situation on the ground in Arsal and the measures taken by the army and security forces to combat the gunmen and restore peace in the town.
“The gunmen have started to withdraw from Arsal and aid convoys began entering the town in the morning,” he told the ministers.
Clashes erupted between the army and Islamist gunmen over the weekend when the army arrested a prominent al-Nusra Front member.
Scores of soldiers were killed and 80 wounded in the battles.
Prime Minister Tammam Salam meanwhile informed cabinet of the efforts he carried out with the army to ensure the release of the detained soldiers and security forces held by the gunmen.
They were taken hostage over the weekend.
The premier also hailed Saudi Arabia's one billion dollar grant to the Lebanese army, saying it demonstrates King Abdullah's keenness on Lebanon.
Salam stressed the need to restore calm in Arsal after the end of the battles and address the social and humanitarian situation there.
“A serious and calm debate over the factors that led to the battle should be kicked off in order to avert similar unrest in the future,” he added.
In addition, cabinet agreed to task Education Minister Elias Bou Saab to follow up on the correction of official exams “to save the academic year and ensure that students enroll at universities.”
M.T.
S.D.B.
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