Lebanon’s military hits back at US sanctions, says loyalty 'solely to the nation'
Lebanon’s army and General Security stressed that their members remain loyal state institutions, responding to US sanctions that for the first time targeted security officers for alleged ties to Hezbollah.
BEIRUT — Lebanon’s army on Friday reaffirmed the loyalty of its personnel to the military institution after the United States for the first time imposed sanctions on an officer for alleged ties to Hezbollah, as pressure by Washington on the Lebanese military intensifies.
In a statement released on Friday, the army said it “affirms that all officers and personnel of the military institution perform their national duties with utmost professionalism, responsibility and discipline, in accordance with the decisions and directives issued by the army command.”
It also emphasized that “the loyalty of military personnel is solely to the military institution and the nation, and that they are committed to fulfilling their national duties without any other considerations or pressures.”
What happened: The US Treasury Department on Thursday announced a new round of sanctions against nine people accused of “obstructing the peace process in Lebanon and impeding the disarmament of Hezbollah.”
