Lebanon's army chief expects renewal of clashes with Islamist militants

Lebanon's Army commander said he expected a renewal of clashes in northeast Lebanon, adding that the military is reinforcing its position on the hills surrounding the town of Arsal.
Jean Kahwagi told Sky News Arabia that the Lebanese Army was working on impose a blockade on militants based in Arsal's hillsides and cutting all supply routes.
"The Lebanese Army has reinforced its positions in the hills surrounding Arsal and insulated the town from its outskirts to besiege militants and prevent any reinforcements from reaching them and cut all supply routes," Kahwagi said.
He said the army was pursuing a recently discovered terrorist cell operating in Tripoli.
"We are working on chasing its members without falling into a battle that would lead to shedding innocent people’s blood," he said.
"But if the peaceful solutions fail, we will refer to a military solution," he warned.
Asked whether he planned to run for president, Kahwagi said he was not seeking the post, but had not ruled it out.