MILITARY SERVICE ABOLISHED

[Prince Cadmus II]

News has come out that military service has finally been abolished.

Lebanon Abolishes Compulsory Military Service

Compulsory military service has been officially abolished in Lebanon, the army command announced Monday.
"Military service is considered abolished indefinitely starting February 10," in line with a law voted by parliament in 2005, the command said in a statement.

"The army will not be affected by the measure, as military service recruits are not among army ranks any more," an army spokesman told Agence France Presse.

"Military service recruits used to account for up to 35 percent a few years ago, when we needed to reunite Lebanese youths in a single national institution after the (1975-1990) civil war," he said.

In January 2005, the Lebanese parliament voted to scrap compulsory military service, with the act due to come into effect 24 months after the law was published.

Lebanon's army split during the civil war years, and was reunited after the end of the conflict. It now numbers about 60,000 troops.

Backed by U.N. peacekeepers, the army was deployed in south Lebanon up to the border with Israel last year for the first time in decades following the 34-day war between the Jewish state and Hizbullah.(AFP)



Beirut, 12 Feb 07, 19:00

[danyhr]

Good. A few years ago on a trip i made to the beautiful country, they were trying to get me into the Army as i was registered there as a male, i had to go through so much crap to change their records.

On another note, i reckon i would have been an awesome additon to the Leb army- i've got more guts than a lot of leb guys i've seen

[Charbel]

So what does this all mean in the grand scheme of things other than giving us aussie males a headache each time we have to go back there to spend thousands of dollars on tourists money for them to buy tyres to burn?

Does this weaken the army? strengthen? better managed?

[Prince Cadmus II]

danyhr, Why exactly were you registered there as a male? It surely must have been during the Syrian era!!!!!!! Could they really have been that stupid?

Charbel: Well I tell you what, it saves you from carrying a few extra pieces of paper around all the time. At least those who end up going to the army are actually there because they want to be, thus they may actually do a better job while at it instead of lounging around and staring into space when their co-religionists run amuck.

[Abou Jamra]

Good move, wrong timing.

[haroun]

Good move, wrong timing.

Finally. This program should have never been initiated in Lebanon. The regular army rank and files are a terrible influence and role models for the youths. Lahoous and Aoun are the shining proof....

instead of paying drug money to 18 and 19 years old, the Army could buy itself few equipments it desperately needs.

[Abou Jamra]

Considering the current political climate with JaaJaa and Jumblats threats of civil war i think the army at present needs the service of these fine young men dont you think its better than them joining your militia of thugs and barbarians.

Besides what will they do now? What is your government doing about employment?

[Abou Jamra]