Head of the Independence Movement Michel Moawad said the involvement of Iran and Hezbollah in the ongoing conflict in Syria is the main reason behind the emergence of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

Speaking on the sidelines of a dinner banquet held at his residence in Zghorta to honor lawyers of the north Lebanon Bar Association, Moawad said that only Lebanon’s official security forces are capable of protecting the Lebanese against terrorist threats.

“In the presence of state security institutions, there is no need for illegitimate weapons,” Moawad said.

“No one is capable of protecting Lebanon other than the official security and military forces,” he added.

Lebanese Forces MP Fadi Karam who attended the dinner alongside lawmakers Farid Makari, Samir al-Jisr and a number of March 14 officials said that despite the mounting challenges, the March 14 camp will remain united and will fight to empower state institutions.

Highlighting a number of these challenges, Moawad said the presidential vacuum undermines the authority of the state and obstruct the work of its institutions.

Moawad added that March 14 forces will work hand in hand to push for the election of a new president.

As for the election of new members of the Tripoli Bar Association,  Moawad said that March 14 forces will vote for Pascal Daher and Fahd al-Moqadem who is running for the post of president.