BEIRUT: The Lebanese Army said Tuesday it has begun legal action to prosecute Akkar MP Mouin Merhebi for attacking the military establishment and slandering its command. “After MP Mouin Merhebi went too far in attacking the military establishment and defaming its command, the Army Command announces that from now on it has decided not to comment on the mentioned MP’s statements,” an Army statement said. The Army has started taking “measures aimed at prosecuting the mentioned MP before the relevant bodies according to the laws and regulations in force with regard to the attacks and false allegations he has leveled against the [military] establishment and its command,” the statement said. Merhebi Sunday called Army Commander Jean Kahwagi a failure and accused him of taking advantage of his position in a bid to become the country’s next president. His remarks drew a strong response from the Army, which accused Merhebi of politicking to attract popular support ahead of the 2013 parliamentary elections.