Syrian Ambassador Meets Aoun: Syria is Not Linked to All that Targets Lebanon's Security

Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdul Karim Ali welcomed on Wednesday the national dialogue and Lebanese government's assertions that the Lebanese army should perform its duties in maintaining security along the border and pursue all who tamper with stability.

He said: “It's in Lebanon's interest to prevent the smuggling of arms to Syria and my country is not linked to all matters that target Lebanon's security.”

He made his remarks after holding talks with Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun at the latter's Rabiyeh residence.

All security gaps must be tackled in order to prevent Israel from taking advantage of any shortcomings, he stated.

“Syria has demonstrated its strength in confronting the danger of gunmen, false media reports, and foreign intelligence,” he added.

Foreign powers are working on harboring extremists and some sides that are “targeting Syrian people are residing in Lebanon,” Ali said.

“It would be in Lebanon's best interest and the best interest of Lebanese-Syrian ties that weapons smuggling to Syria be halted because several of these operations have been discovered,” he added.

On reports that he was sacked from his duties, the ambassador stressed: “I am remaining in Lebanon.”

Commenting on the arrest of Lebanese former minister Michel Samaha on charges of forming a criminal gang, the ambassador hoped that such an issue would be dealt with from all angles and not just through the media.

In August, Samaha and Syrian security chief Ali al-Mamlouk were charged with forming a gang aimed at carrying out attacks in Lebanon at Syria's behest.

Ali stressed: “Syria is keen on Lebanon's security and the fraternal ties it shares with it.”

“Syria is not linked to any plan to target Lebanon's security,” he said.