BEIRUT: Lebanese Army head Gen. Jean Kahwagi met with a delegation from the Bekaa border town of Arsal Thursday following several security incidents involving Syrian army incursions and killings of Lebanese residents.

During the meeting at Kahwagi’s office in Yarze, the delegation thanked the army for bolstering security measures in Arsal and neighboring areas to protect citizens and prevent smuggling operations.

The delegation of mayors and the head of the municipality also reassured Kahwagi that Arsal residents would stand by the army and that they reject any terrorist acts in their area.

Last week, Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn said arms were being smuggled and “some terrorist members of Al-Qaida” entered Lebanon through some illegal crossings on the Lebanese-Syrian border, particularly Arsal, under the guise that they belong to the Syrian opposition.

Ghosn’s statement has since come under fire from March 14 politicians who have accused him of seeking to serve Damascus.

Arsal has been the scene of border violations by the Syrian army. On Dec. 26, two Lebanese men were wounded by Syrian army gunshots in Arsal.

During the meeting Thursday, Kahwagi thanked the delegation for their confidence in Lebanon's military, noting that the “foundation of the army's performance rests upon cooperation with citizens" without any political interference.

Earlier this week, Arsal residents urged Prime Minister Najib Mikati to deploy the Lebanese Army in their area.

Kahwagi also said that it was in the interest of the Lebanese to safeguard the country from any ramifications that might result from regional developments.

“The army believes that preserving the homeland is a sacred right for all citizens and an absolute priority that [the army] cannot be complacent with it under any circumstances,” he added.