General Security Members Detained in Syria for an Hour, Suleiman Slams Border Violations
President Michel Suleiman slammed on Monday the Syrian security forces’ detention of two general security members from Lebanon, deeming the action a violation of international law.
Syrian security forces infiltrated the northern region of Wadi Khaled on Monday and detained two general security members for an hour, several media outlets reported.
LBC TV said around 20 Syrian soldiers opened fire at Jisr al-Qmar, which damaged the customs building and a number of cars, and continued marching toward the area.
Al-Joumhouria newspaper reported that the Syrian forces threatened the Lebanese security forces, accusing them of allowing gunmen to open fire at Syrian territories.
LBC pointed out that the Syrian forces detained a member of the Lebanese customs and two general security members and hit them before dragging two of them into Syrian territories for an hour.
Suleiman added that the incident violates the duty of the two countries to coordinate their activity along the border.
He hoped that the necessary investigations will be held and those responsible will be held responsible for their actions in order to avert similar incidents in the future.
Interior Minister Marwan Charbel meanwhile said in comments to Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3) that the Syrian border violations are “unacceptable.”
“The Syrian army has no right to detain anyone,” he said.
The minister urged the cabinet to address the issue during its session, which is scheduled to convene Tuesday at the Baabda Palace.
The General Security said later in a statement that the Syrian army was pursuing gunmen, who fired a rocket at the emigration and passports center near the border, which wounded two Syrian border police.
The Syrian security forces infiltrated al-Buqaiaa crossing and detained two members from the area’s general security center, the statement said.
It added that they were released later.
The general security immediately opened an investigation into the incident.
Buqaiaa is located in the Akkar region, 185 kilometers north of Beirut.
Syrian troops have carried out a number of cross-border raids into Lebanon since the outbreak of the revolt against the regime of President Bashar Assad in March 2011, sparking fears of a spillover of the conflict.
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