LOC20:36
17:36 GMT
Commander of the Lebanese Army General Joseph Aoun during a reception of Arab and Western military attaches in Beirut
BEIRUT, Jan 16 (KUNA) -- Commander of the Lebanese Army General Joseph Aoun said Tuesday the army and security forces succeeded through pre-emptive operations to thwart all terrorist plots in 2017.
The Lebanese forces succeeded in pushing so-called Islamic State (IS) and Al-Nusra Front away from the eastern borders with Syria, as well as dismantling tens of IS and Al-Nusra cells, Aoun said during a reception of Arab and Western military attaches in Beirut.
Aoun said the Arab region witnessed great victories against terrorism last year, like the elimination of IS in Iraq and decline of IS presence in Syria.
He said the fight against terrorism should be via addressing root causes of cultural, economic and social problems.
Aoun thanked all countries that provided support for the Lebanese army.
The army, he added, was committed to preserving stability alone the southern borders in collaboration with the UN troops in accordance with UN resolution 1701.
Aoun asserted that the army was ready to repel any Israeli aggression. (end)
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