Lebanese Interior Minister Marwan Charbel awarded the country’s Army Commander Brigadier General Jean Kahwaji the Medal of Merit, the National News Agency reported on Monday.

During the ceremony at the Interior Ministry, Charbel commended Kahawji’s leadership of the Lebanese Army, saying that the latter had “demonstrated distinct leadership skills and high competency when it comes to dealing with security and national issues.”

“Kahwaji distinguished himself through his work, which is characterized by objectivity, experience and thoroughness,” he added.

In turn, Kahwaji expressed gratitude for the “loyalty and trust” shown to him by Charbel.

The Lebanese Army Commander also said that the military institution would keep on exerting the necessary efforts to protect the “humanitarian rights of the Palestinian brothers” and that it would not accept a repeat of what occurred in Nahr al-Bared and Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camps.

Earlier in June, clashes with the Lebanese Army at the two camps left two Palestinians dead and several people wounded, including soldiers.