Lebanese army chief: Strong army needed to maintain legitimacy

Lebanese Army Commander Gen Jean Kahwaji said Thursday that a strong and robust army capable of enforcing security and control of territories is strongly needed to maintain the country's legitimacy.Kahwaji made his remarks in a speech during a meeting on the five-year capacity development plan for the Lebanese Armed Forces, upon the call of the UN Special Coordinator in Beirut Derek Plumbly and in the presence of the EU Ambassador Angelina Eichhorst, UNIFIL Commander Paolo Serra, Ambassadors of donor countries, military figures and a number of Lebanese senior officers.The army chief added that recent security developments show clearly the dangers facing the country and the importance of improving the army's performance and intelligence in combating terrorism, calling on donor countries to cooperate in this regard.Kahwaji said a stable Lebanon would serve stability in the region, and a strong Lebanese army would also contribute to stability in the region.In his speech, Gen Kahwaji thanked the UN and donor countries for their support in improving the capabilities of the military, especially during the forthcoming conference in Rome for the support the Lebanese army.Italy is due to host, next spring, a special conference in Rome aimed at supporting boosting the Lebanese army's military capabilities.