The Lebanese Army will be able to worthily rebuff the Israeli Armed Forces, Head of Defense of Released Territories organization, native of Lebanon Zhirayr Sefilyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. "My confidence is grounded: Lebanese Army's will unite with Hezbollah against Israel. This was the case in 1996, when by joint efforts the fire was ceased, Israel left South Lebanon with the mediation of the US and France. In 2000 the same military operations resulted in Israel's defeat. I do not doubt it will lose this time again. The Lebanese Army along with Hezbollah and with the support of all of the Lebanese people will fight for independence and Israel will have to withdraw from Shebaa. Otherwise Northern Israel, including Haifa, will always live being threatened," Sefilyan underscored.

At that he noted that the Christian block of Beirut and the Armenian block next to it were never bombed by Israel. «Most Beirut Armenians live in Eshrefi block, many live in Burj-Hamud town. Armenians also reside in Antilias, Zalkan, Jel-el-Dib and other suburbs. Many Armenians live in Tripol, second largest city in Lebanon,» Zhirayr Sefilyan said.

Some 100 thousand Armenians live in Lebanon at present. The residence of Cilician Catholicosate (Antilias) is also situated in Lebanon.