BEIRUT: Lebanese Army commander General Jean Kahwagi said Thursday that the army would not allow political disparity among the Lebanese to turn into armed conflict regardless of the sacrifices the army will have to make to preserve civil peace.

In his address to mark the occasion of Lebanon’s 67th Independence anniversary, Kahwagi said political disparities among the Lebanese under the current circumstances were an integral part of the country’s democratic regime.

“But it is unacceptable to reflect these differences on the ground and turn them into strife that threatens our citizens’ souls and national principles. Political conflict is solved in political ways but security is a sacred right of every citizen, who should preserve it,” Kahwagi said.

He added that the army would endure sacrifices, regardless of their magnitude, to preserve security.

Sacrifices would remain less costly than the repercussions of civil strife, the general said.

Kahwagi also called on the army to remain vigilant concerning external threats represented by the Israeli occupation of Lebanese territories and the Israel’s attempts to continuously violate Lebanese sovereignty.

“I call on you to stay on the lookout for the Israeli enemy that still occupies part of our land and urge you to promote cooperation with international peacekeeping forces to preserve stability in south Lebanon and confront the enemy’s plots,” he said.

The general also praised the Lebanese Army’s efforts to crack down on spying networks for Israel and to pursue terrorist cells and outlaws.

“You continued to pursue terrorists and spies, stressing that both your defense and security missions are inseparable twins, refuting claims that the martyrdom of soldiers would undermine the army’s authority but enforcing the belief that it would rather render it more resilient and immune when facing dangers,” Kahwagi said.