Lebanon witnessed a political controversy after an army command statement spoke of distortion campaigns targeting the military institution; MP Waddah Sadek responded by criticizing army commander Gen. Rudolf Heikal, invoking cabinet powers and the Taif Accord. The army affirmed its position saying "we are not a stick to beat with", while Heikal's remarks on "army policy" and "nationalism" prompted varied political reactions and a constitutional expert's view that the army commander is bound by government policy.
Lebanon Debate focused on MP Waddah Sadek's attack on the army commander and the context of the military statement, while Al Akhbar centered on the army's response to the campaigns with the phrase "we are not a stick to beat with", and MTV Lebanon highlighted the broader political controversy triggered by Heikal's remarks on "army policy" and "nationalism" along with a constitutional reading of that role.