Governor of Baalbek-Hermel, Bashir Khodr, affirmed in an issued statement this evening, that “in wake of the unprecedented spread of drugs within the Lebanese society, the security forces have been waging a war against this scourge for a long time, and the security operation carried out by the Lebanese army two days ago in the Baalbek-Hermel governorate falls within this context.”

He added: “The timing is not linked to any other matter, but is part of the plan followed by the army, which carries out operations according to the information and coordinates available to it, after follow-up, monitoring and investigation to determine the suitable time and place.”

Khodr continued to confirm that “no problem exists between the Lebanese army and the people of Baalbek-Hermel, who have always been calling for the imposition of security and the prosecution of wanted persons, so as to live in peace in their area.”

He praised the role of the army, “which, despite all the deterioration in the living conditions of its units, still maintains its valor in defending its homeland and protecting its people from all such scourges.”

The Baabek-Hermel Governor also underlined that “security and development are two sides of the same coin,” calling on those concerned “to strive to implement development projects in underprivileged areas, especially the governorate of Baalbek-Hermel, because the absence of development is the main reason that leads to such plagues in society.”

“May God protect our people in Baalbek-Hermel and members of the Lebanese army, and we urge everyone to abide by the instructions of the security forces,” Khodr concluded.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon