Hankach to "Akhbar al-Yawm": Lebanese army in the South proves that only the state is capable of protecting everyone

No actual presence of Lebanese state on the ground

Antoun el-Fata, “Akhbar al-Yawm” agency

When the war began to intensify about two months ago with evacuation warnings, and with people fleeing from their villages and areas, everyone suffered from a key point at that time, which was the absence of any manifestation of the state on the ground, even at the organizational and security levels.

We have entered the ceasefire phase now, amid a security and military deployment in the south and other areas, but despite this, we have not yet felt that there is an actual Lebanese state holding the land and establishing new stages different from the previous ones.

Where is the flaw at this level? Is there a need for a clearer political decision at those levels, which gives Lebanese security and military forces a free rein?

Kataeb MP Elias Hankach, said that "Lebanese army, by entering the south immediately after the ceasefire comes into force proves that only the state is capable of protecting everyone, and it should be "exclusively" present in areas where it was previously deprived of its presence.

He pointed out in an interview with the "Akhbar al-Yawm" agency that "the army is now present in the south, and began to enter various areas where it is greeted by people. And this scene is never ordinary at the moment. But we cannot expect a different state presence from the past as just flipping a switch. This issue needs time and a political decision, and today we have a very big opportunity for the state to extend its sovereignty in all areas, in the southern suburbs of Beirut, the south, the Bekaa and everywhere, after the agreement reached for a ceasefire".

Hankach called on "all parties to support the military establishment and to limit weapons in its hand over the entire Lebanese territory. We are well aware that this issue needs time. But it is necessary to follow this path and put things on the right track, in preparation for reaching Lebanon free of illegal weapons, with the acceptance of all political forces, and without hindrance".

He added: "If the session for the election of a president of the Republic on January 9 is serious, especially on the part of the (Shiite) duo, which was obstructing the quorum in the previous times, and if this duo adheres to the principles, then the chances of achieving this entitlement increase".

He concluded: "there are different changes in the speech we are hearing from the deputies of the "Development and Liberation" bloc now, although the speeches of the Hezbollah deputies remain the same. The atmosphere has changed somewhat, but in parallel with the necessary seriousness required of everyone, we must work from now on until we reach a general conviction about a name that can become president of the Republic and be up to the challenges the country is going through".