BEIRUT: Grand Mufti of the Republic Sheikh Mohammad Rashid Qabbani called on the Lebanese people to support the army, which he described as “the protecter of the nation,” following talks with Lebanese Army commander General Jean Kahwagi Monday.“

All Lebanese trust and love the army and its command, which are the guarantee of security, safety and stability of Lebanon,” Qabbani said.

After the meeting at Dar al-Fatwa, the seat of the Sunni mufti, Kahwagi said that the role of the army is to protect the nation. “The Lebanese Army can be trusted to protect Lebanon’s stability and safety,” he said, and warned that there was no room for “playing with the security of the people.”

Kahwagi also met with Grand Shiite Jaafarite Mufti Sheikh Ahmad Qabalan Monday, and praised him for his “wise positions that contribute to strengthening national unity and the country’s security and stability.”

For his part, Qabalan expressed his belief that the army is responsible for the country’s safety and affirmed that “Lebanon can only rise with the strength of its army.”

“We will not give up supporting our national army as its [members] are our brothers,” Qabalan said. “We will make every effort to support the army’s unity and strengthen its national role in protecting the country.”

Qabalan also said that the fate of Lebanon is linked to the army.

“Preserving the army is preserving Lebanon,” he continued, calling for the people to support the army, “especially given the bad situation in the region,” and because “our army is the only guarantee for the protection of Lebanon and its residents … All the Lebanese should embrace the army and learn from what’s taking place in the region and support their army in preserving peace and defending the country.”

Qabbani and Qabalan’s messages of support for the army followed recent remarks by Future bloc MP Khaled Daher accusing the institution of operating under Syrian orders.

The lawmaker’s statements quickly led to a political war of words, with members of the ruling March 8 coalition slamming his claims and accusing Daher of trying to destabilize the army.

Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn also voiced his support for the army Monday, calling the institution the “backbone of the nation.”

Ghosn wondered how some could attack the army when “all Lebanese, including [Daher] strongly need the institution … The army’s status and its solidity are strong enough not to be affected by words,” he said, emphasizing the need for the army to avoid entering political disputes.

“He called for those attacking the army to “reconsider their position if they care about the country’s interests as they say they do.”