Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji issued a statement on Sunday in which he condemned Ersal attack, and warned that the blood of two slain officers won’t be subject to any political compromise

Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji issued a statement on Sunday in which he condemned Ersal attack, and warned that the blood of two slain officers won’t be subject to any political compromise.

“Those who believe that our combating of terrorism will halt for any local or regional power are mistaken,” Qahwaji said. “We will not accept a political compromise at the expense of the blood of martyrs Pierre Bashaalani and Ibrahim Zahraman,” he added.

“No matter what the cost, the army will not waver in apprehending the criminals, regardless of their identities or their affiliations,” Qahwaji stated. “We reject any attempt to make light of the gravity of the premeditated crime committed against the army,” he stressed.

He later attended Bashaalani's funeral in the Bekaa town of Mrayjat.

Miqati: We fully back army

Earlier on Sunday, Qahwaji met Lebanon Prime Minister Najib Mikati who stressed that the Lebanese army enjoys complete political cover.

The talks focused on Friday's clash at the Bekaa town of Ersal that left two army officers dead as they were attempting to apprehend a wanted suspect, who was also killed in the incident. Media reports had said that the army arrested 5 people in Ersal on charges of belonging to extremist groups. A local television reported that two of those involved in the clash are members of the Hujairi family and they have been handed over to the security agencies.

Miqati said: “We completely back the army and urge the residents of Ersal to cooperate with it.”

Mikati had also held talks at the Defense Ministry with Minister Fayez Ghosn.

Moreover, the premier said that he agreed with Ghosn and Qahwaji on a number of measures that would help reach a solution to the situation.

“Let us leave it up to the army to resolve this issue in a calm manner and away from sectarian tensions,” he stressed before reporters. “No particular Lebanese faction was targeted in the incident because one of the victims was a wanted suspect,” he added.

Rahi: Political powers responsible for officers' deaths

For his part, Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi condemned on Sunday Ersal clash and held political powers responsible for the officers’ deaths accusing them of covering up of such assaults against the army and security forces.

 “They are the victims of the so-called consensual security being imposed in Lebanon,” Rahi said. He called for fortifying the internal security scene “by eliminating the possession of illegal arms and the phenomenon of consensual security.”