Israeli patrol wounds Lebanese soldiers

On the morning of the 66th anniversary, the El Wazzani spring area in the eastern sector of the Lebanese-Israeli border witnessed a clash between Israeli and Lebanese Patrols, in which a Lebanese soldier was slightly wounded. Lebanese military sources said that the Israeli patrol crossed the blue line and headed towards El Wazzani spring. It engaged the Lebanese patrol forcing the Lebanese army to respond. The ensuing skirmish lasted only a few minutes and only light and medium weapons were used. International forces were informed immediately of the clash and hasty stopped the fighting and tried to limit the tension in the region amid mutual alert between the two armies, that is reflected in the paralysis of movement in the region. While a formal statement will be issued by the Directorate of the Lebanese Army, an Israeli source said to AFP that "one of the Lebanese soldiers opened fire at an Israeli patrol." "Arabs Today" knew that the news of the clash was reflected in the first moments of the military feast at the military parade that accompanied the celebration of swords honouring the officer graduates of the Military Academy, sponsored by President Michel Suleiman. The latest conducted consultations between the President and army chief before heading to court Shukri Ghanem barracks in the military school in Fayadieh. In the meantime, President Michel Suleiman said that the Lebanese army reflects the aspirations of its people, pointing out that the army never drifted from the paths of honour and loyalty. The army even accompanied the demonstrations of the 8th and 14th of March in 2005 as well as the critical stages that followed it, despite  concerns. It was a pioneer in the protection of civil peace and the right of democratic expression and contributed to maintaining the security of the demonstrators, citizens and their property. He pointed out that the military supports this approach in all the rights. "In the days with the people and the resistance you were able to achieve victory" said President Suleiman during the 66th anniversary of the army gala, which was held at Shukri Ghanem in Fayadieh. Those attending included the head of the people’s assembly, the Prime Minister, the army commander and a crowd of invited Lebanese and international military figures. After the President handed the swords to the officers graduating from the Military Academy he stressed that the army took the initiative, with the potential provided to him to fight the Israeli war machine sighting the Aladaysa conflict in 2010. The army also was devoted in to the fight against terrorism in El-Bared River and succeeded in restraining it. Suleiman said: "You have created on the ground strategic elements that are able to protect Lebanon and defend it. This morning Israel has tried to repeat its attacks on Al Wazzani but you were looking out for it." He also pointed out that the duty to maintain internal security does not come from within the functions of the army, but the army stood side by side with the security forces due to an order by the state and ensured the continued security of citizens as well as facing plots that threatened civil peace. Suleiman stressed that the Lebanese people, reject discord and are longing to establish the fair state that achieves their dreams. He added that political leaders must work hard to establish stability and calmness and support the democratic climate and the logic of dialogue. He hoped that the month of Ramadan will contribute to deepening the idea of dialogue and its success. The talks are aimed at protecting Lebanon and vaccinating it in the face of changes as well as internal and external challenges and risks, and to achieve genuine national reconciliation. Suleiman added "We call for dialogue, not only seeking to resolve outstanding problems, but to  avoid conflict and promote stability and to dispel the frustrating feelings that Lebanon is in a state of armistice or in the status of a cold war which can not be accepted." Suleiman said that in light of past experience and because of the nature of pluralism in Lebanon, the need of frameworks for representation and more accurate and developed balance is high. The adoption of a new modern and just electoral law can represent a new gateway to change and strengthen civil peace. Potentially the percentage of the options that the Lebanese people can agree on will provide the framework for determining the best. He added "It is our duty to take care of justice and agree on a defence strategy, moving forward with administrative appointments, away from maliciousness and quotas." He added: "We affirm our full commitment to the resolution 1701 and the duty to deal with the United Nations and UNIFIL. “We strongly condemn the attack which these forces were subjected to recently and we confirm our intention to arrest the perpetrators." He stressed Lebanon’s insistence to regain its lands that are still occupied with all legitimate means. He also confirmed the need to work on identifying and protecting our maritime boundary and preserving the economic zone, and addressed the army saying: "In order to implement these tasks you have our full support, love and embrace." Suleiman stressed the importance of working to provide the military with elements of power, noting that the current government has confirmed it through a ministerial statement. Asserting the “government's commitment to a plan for equipping and arming the security forces and protecting it."