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Lebanese Army chief: we are strong due to military's strength
News Date: 19th November 2009
Lebanese Army commander General Jean Kahwagi said that the army's key mission is to defend the country against Israel, adding that Lebanon is strong as a result of its military's strength.
"The army is the state's backbone and is for all of Lebanon," said Kahwagi on Wednesday, adding "The state can only be strong, independent and
proud by its army. No one could shake this force," he added.
Kahwagi insisted on avoiding discussion of politics "because politics divides and the army unites," and said that his mission lies in defending
the nation against Israel, preserving the army and fighting terrorism which he described as a "world trend."
Kahwagi's words came as a Russian delegation is now visiting Lebanon in a bid to deliver 10 MiG-29 fighters to the country whose air force can be
negligible as it has only four jet fighters and dozens of helicopters.
Reports said that the Russian delegation is on a mission that consists of exploring the capabilities of Lebanese airports to maintain the MiGs, and that the deal has entered is final phase. The fighters would be provided free to Lebanon under an agreement on military-technical assistance.
Lebanon accuses Israeli warplanes of violating its air space on a daily basis, but it can do nothing else.
Israel in 2006 fought a war with Shiite armed group Hezbollah who has a large stockpile of arms, while the Lebanese Army owns a less significant
one.
Source: GNA
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