Lebanese president claims resistance arms for army

Sleiman reaches out to Hezbollah Beirut – Georges Chahine Lebanese President Michel Sleiman has claimed absorbing Hezbollah’s arms into the national army would be “the only way” to defend the country from future Israeli attacks. “The Baabda Declaration and a defence strategy that places the resistance's arms at the will of the army will protect Lebanon against any Israeli assault,” he claimed on Friday.
He also stressed the need to equip the army with modern weapons.
Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah announced on Thursday that the radical Shia group was “ready to receive any game-changing weapons” in order to “protect such types of weapons.”
“We will use them to defend our people,” Nasrallah added.
Kateab party delegates have contuined their busy schedule of meetings with leaders from across Lebanon’s political spectrum as the country strives to form a new consensus government.
Officials are looking to market an initiative concerning constitutional reform laws and Lebanon’s neutrality in conflicts across the Middle East.
A Kateab delegate met with parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri and a host of politicians including Sami Gemayel and Nadim Gemayel.
Following meetings Nadim Gemayel said: “Berri was in favour of our proposals but as for the content and importance of the issue he was very supportive.”
Kateab delegates are yet to meet with Hezbollah representatives but vowed to in the future.