By Xinhua,
Beirut : Lebanese Army Commander Michel Suleiman, the prospective president of the country, has vowed to stay alongside the Lebanese army, but would not interfere in its internal affairs, the Daily Star reported on Sunday.
During the farewell ceremony, held at the army headquarters in Yarzie on the eve of his election to become president, Suleiman praised Defense Minister Elias Murr for his role in “keeping the army away from political confrontations.”
“Continuing the road to the top needs more effort and sacrifices to reach success,” Suleiman told army officers and soldiers.
Suleiman was appointed army commander in 1998, when Gen. Emile Lahoud, the then army commander was elected president.
As the consensus candidate of Lebanese rival blocs, Army commander Gen. Michel Suleiman will become the president following six months of presidential vacancy on Sunday.
This election came after Lebanese leaders reached an agreement in Doha early Wednesday to end a long-running political crisis.
Lebanese political rival groups had been unable to achieve a breakthrough to elect a new president for the country since Nov. 24 last year when ex-president Emile Lahoud ended his term.