BEIRUT: The Army’s strongest weapon is its unity in the face of ongoing political disputes, Prime Minister Tammam Salam said from the Defense Ministry in Yarze Thursday, following a meeting with Defense Minister Samir Moqbel and Army chief Gen. Jean Kahwagi.

“What helps the Lebanese Army the most is the atmosphere inside the institution – the national and unified atmosphere that doesn’t know sectarianism or factionalism,” Salam said in a news conference from the military’s central operation room.

“The [atmosphere] only knows of the Army’s national mission and this is the strongest weapon that the military has.”

Salam lauded the military’s “wise leadership” and ability to maintain unity and neutrality despite widening political rifts in the country.

The political dispute over the appointments of a new Internal Security Forces chief and Army commander plunged Cabinet into paralysis last week, with the prime minister canceling this week’s session in light of the impasse.

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