Lebanon general says army under pressure - paper
Source: Reuters
BEIRUT, Jan 27 (Reuters) - Lebanon's army commander called for efforts to end a political crisis which this week triggered violence and said his forces, which are trying to keep the peace, were under pressure, a newspaper reported on Saturday. General Michel Suleiman told As-Safir newspaper that the clashes, which killed seven and wounded close to 400, should be "an opportunity for all to revive the discourse of reason and calm". "True the army is suffering from pressure. That does not prevent it from performing its duty,", Suleiman said. "The army has been bearing above its load for months and is ready to bear more on condition that officials and civilians also bear their responsibilities in preventing security disturbances." The clashes this week between Sunni and Shi'ite Muslims loyal to rival factions and Christians whose leaders are also split were Lebanon's worst since its 1975-1990 civil war. In that conflict, Lebanon's army split along sectarian lines. The army imposed a curfew on Thursday night to restore order. Suleiman in December urged the army to stay neutral in the current standoff between the government, which is backed by Lebanon's strongest Sunni leader, and the opposition including Shi'ite groups Hezbollah and Amal. Christian leaders including Michel Aoun back the opposition while others such as Samir Geagea support the government. "There must be a political desire to search for a political solution to the crisis," Suleiman said, warning against sectarian divisions in the country. "Everyone should build one building on one land," he said. The opposition is demanding veto power in the government and early parliamentary elections to change what they call an illegitimate cabinet. The government and its allies accuse the opposition of trying to mount a coup.
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