Lebanese celebrities took center stage in solidarity with the Lebanese Army’s battle against militant groups in northeast Lebanon, with some boycotting music, others canceling shows and some even enlisting.
Lebanese diva Najwa Karam announced on MTV that she would abstain from singing or performing in solidarity with the Lebanese Army.
“As of tonight, my voice will not reach its land as long as its land is wounded,” she announced.
“We have become a corridor for conspiracies,” Karam said. “The Army is our brothers and our family, and my faith in God tells me to stand by family.”
Lebanese Singer Wael Kfoury followed suit by canceling a performance set for Aug. 9, in solidarity with the Lebanese Army.
Kfoury’s manager announced the cancellation of the event that was planned for the Regency Palace Hotel, also citing security concerns.
In the worst Syria-linked violence in Lebanon, the Lebanese Army said the clashes with “takfiri terrorist groups” in Arsal had killed 16 soldiers and wounded 86 others, while 19 were still missing, believed to be held captive by the militants.
Lebanese pop icon Nancy Ajram declared her support for the Lebanese Army, stating that her voice became more valuable to her the day she sang for the Lebanese Army.
“The children are praying for you, [so is] my entire country, young and old, and since the time I started singing for you, my voice to me has become more valuable,” she said.
Lebanese celebrity Zein al-Omar took support of the Lebanese Army to a whole new level by announcing he had enlisted in the Army.
Zein posted a picture of himself wearing an Army uniform on Facebook with the caption stating that “[I] Tony Youssef Hadchiti, celebrity name Zein al-Omar, announce my allegiance to the Army in the ranks of a soldier.”
“Whoever dares to assault the Lebanese Army will pay a heavy price,” Lebanese celebrity and singer Ragheb Alameh said. "The Army is not just heroic men smearing their palms with blood to protect the people. The Army is the entire population.”
“The conspiracy will not pass,” he said, referring to allegations that Arsal clashes are a part of a regional conspiracy aimed at dragging Lebanon into the borders of the Islamic State.
“The Lebanese people in their entirety are wrapped around their Army more than ever. The Army and the people won’t allow terrorism to spread."
Lebanese singer and the Bulgari-Save The Children campaign's newly appointed humanitarian ambassador for the Middle East, Majida al-Roumi, hailed the Lebanese Army through a patriotic post on social media.
“The Lebanese Army is above all considerations,” she said, declaring the Army as protectors of “Lebanese dignity, the Army of our honor and our lifted heads.”
“ISIS, I wish you death and hell in the afterlife,” Elnashra quoted Lebanese actress Nadine Nassib Njeim as saying. "The Lebanese Army is a red line. I wish them victory and life.”
