Wikileaks: "The enemy should have to walk across your dead bodies to enter these places..."

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIRUT 000661

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12. (C/NF) Charge told Sleiman that the Embassy had spoken with an LAF officer who had complained that "the politicians put us into this mess; it is not the Army's job to protect them." Charge told Sleiman that this was not acceptable and that the Grand Serail (where the PM and many Cabinet members live and work) and the homes of political leaders needed to be protected, especially in view of rumors that these locations would be attacked in the course of the night. During the evening meeting with Sleiman, USDP Eric Edelman called to confer with Charge and subsequently spoke with Gen. Sleiman. After delivering a strongly worded statement to Sleiman about USG expectations concerning the protection of state institutions and the protection of political leaders, Sleiman called his commanders. In front of Charge, Sleiman reinforced his previous orders to the Ranger Regiment Commander, Colonel Saleh Kais, a Shia. Specifically, Sleiman said, "You will defend until the death, the Grand Serail, Qoraetem and Clemenceau. You are to sacrifice yourselves to protect these places. The enemy should have to walk across your dead bodies to enter these places. I repeat, open fire if you are attacked."...