Prime Minister Najib Mikati affirmed, “The army is the protector of the nation. It is not a slogan that we chant on national occasions. Rather, it is an act of faith that the army translates every day through the sacrifices of its soldiers, their courage and the wisdom of their leadership, and this was demonstrated today in addressing the unfortunate events that occurred in the Tayouneh area.”

He added: “The army is proceeding with its field procedures to address the situation, restore security, remove all manifestations of violating security, arrest those involved in these events and refer them to the competent judiciary.”

Mikati had moved this afternoon to the headquarters of the Ministry of Defense, where he was received by the Minister of National Defense, Maurice Selim, and the Army Commander, General Joseph Aoun.