Higher Defense Council Stresses Border Control, Prevention of Arms Smuggling
The Higher Defense Council on Thursday stressed the prevention of arms smuggling in and out of Lebanon and called for controlling the security situation in border towns.
The HDC convened at Baabda palace to contain the repercussions of allegations that the al-Qaida terrorist network was operating in Lebanon. But it did not unveil details over the issue.
A statement issued after the meeting said the Council asked security agencies to take stronger measures to fight terrorism and stressed cooperation with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.
It kept its decisions secret in accordance with the law but said in the terse statement that discussions focused on the security measures taken in the country.
It also quoted President Michel Suleiman as condemning the killing of three Lebanese men in the northern border area of Wadi Khaled by Syrian cross border fire. He stressed the importance of investigating the incident.
Suleiman and PM Najib Miqati held closed-door talks ahead of the meeting that was attended by Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn, Interior Minister Marwan Charbel, Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour, Finance Minister Mohammad Safadi, Economy Minister Nicolas Nahhas and Social Affairs Minister Wael Abu Faour.
Top security officers, including Army chief Gen. Jean Qahwaji, Internal Security Forces chief Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi, the head of the General Security Department, Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim, and head of Lebanese Army Intelligence Brig. Gen. Edmond Fadel also attended the meeting.
The cabinet on Wednesday tasked the HDC with convening to discuss the alleged presence of al-Qaida and other security concerns, including the Wadi Khaled incident and the bombing that targeted Tyros restaurant in the southern city of Tyre.
Ghosn, who made the allegations last week, briefed the cabinet on Wednesday on the information he had obtained about the operations of al-Qaida fighters in and out of the eastern border town of Arsal.
The minister slammed his critics, saying “let them give us other information to prove that what we’re saying is not true.”
Ad-Diyar daily quoted him as saying that his critics snapped back at him through a political campaign “for known reasons.”
“I work in accordance with my convictions and conscience and I take full responsibility” for what I said, Ghosn said.
Several ministers played down Ghosn’s information with Miqati saying that “there is no solid evidence” about the presence of al-Qaida in Arsal.
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