Berri hails Lebanese Army response to FSA attack

Speaker Nabih Berri voiced in comments Monday his support to the steps taken by the Lebanese Army following the weekend attack on the military by the Free Syrian Army in the north east of the country. “We have said it over and over again... the army is a red line. Let it fulfill its tasks, it is just carrying out its responsibilities to the fullest [of its capabilities],” Berri said in separate interviews to Ad-Diyar and An-Nahar newspapers. The speaker described those opposing the army’s measures in the northeast as “unpleasant voices that want to have a negative impact on the role carried out by the military institution.” He said those opposing the steps taken by the military would not hamper their work. “Such voices will not affect the army’s national role which we fervently support. The army is above such statements anyways,” Berri said. In a statement issued Saturday, the Army said members of the Free Syrian Army attacked a Lebanese military post night near the northern border with Syria late Friday. Army reinforcements were dispatched to the area following the incident. Lebanon’s Cabinet has repeatedly said it is adopting a policy of dissociation toward developments in its neighbor. However, the decision has been criticized by the March 14 opposition. Asked about the recent raids carried out by the Army in Beirut's southern suburb, Berri stressed that the operation was ongoing and signaled that it would expand to include the Bekaa region. “The army will keep up its plan, and no one will be able to stop it as it is no longer acceptable to allow gangs to frighten citizens and impede the country’s economy,” said Berri. Lebanon, already suffering from the impact of the Syrian crisis along its borders, has witnessed a wave of kidnappings and bank robberies around the country. Lebanese authorities have vowed to put an end to the phenomena and imposed strict security measures throughout the country. Last month, the Army arrested several al-Meqdad family members, including the clan's spokesman Maher, during raids on Beirut's southern suburbs and other areas after the clan went on an abduction spree of Syrians and Turkish nationals to avenge the kidnapping of family member Hassan in Damascus. The step was the first of its kind, as the Army and security forces rarely operate with such freedom in the Hezbollah-dominated southern suburb. From DailyStar