Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati held a consultative meeting with ministers on Monday, devoted to addressing the security situation and the issue of Syrian displaced persons.
At the beginning, Mikati pointed out that the meeting is an opportunity to address the security situation, notably in South Lebanon and the issue of displaced persons, following the kidnapping and killing of Lebanese Forces official Pascal Sleiman in Jbeil by a suspected Syrian car theft gang who then dumped his body in Syria.
"We meet today to discuss the delicate security situation, and what steps must be taken to fortify social stability." He stressed that "Lebanon should have a unified position before the international community on the issue of Syrian refugees and its impact on Lebanon in all its economic, social, security and sovereignty aspects," Mikati said.
"Last week, Lebanon witnessed security incidents, which would have become more widespread had it not been for the efforts of the army and security apparatuses, the seriousness of the investigations, the wisdom of the leaders and authorities, and calls for prudence and discretion, which is the only way to overcome crises," he continued.
In this context, Mikati emphasized, "With the proliferation of crimes committed by some Syrian refugees, the situation must be addressed firmly by the security apparatuses, and urgent measures must be taken to prevent the occurrence of any criminal act and any behaviors that are fundamentally unacceptable by the Syrian brothers who are legally present and forcibly displaced." He asked the Minister of Interior to "strictly enforce Lebanese laws on all displaced persons and deal with cases that violate these laws."
In parallel, Minister of Interior Bassam Mawlawi revealed that "among two million displaced Syrians in Lebanon, only 300,000 have residencies, 800,000 are registered with the UN refugee agency, and 1.2 million are unregistered."
Regarding the situation in South Lebanon, Mikati said that Lebanon insists on placing "Israeli aggressions before the international community" through the submission of complaints to the UN Security Council.
"We refuse the violations of our airspace and we cannot remain silent about Israeli aggressions. We are not advocates of war; however, these aggressions cannot be tolerated. Israel is dragging the region to war, and the international community must be aware of that and end this war," he added.
The consultative meeting was attended by four ministers of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) who have been boycotting cabinet sessions until a new president of the republic is elected to succeed Michel Aoun whose term ended one year and a half ago.
Mikati had previously called for an emergency cabinet session, and later replaced it with a "consultative meeting," which he said allows the participation of most ministers "to share their opinions under the present delicate circumstances," according to a statement his office issued last night.
The cabinet is expected to convene in a formal session on April 26, according to Minister of Information Ziad Makary.
At the beginning, Mikati pointed out that the meeting is an opportunity to address the security situation, notably in South Lebanon and the issue of displaced persons, following the kidnapping and killing of Lebanese Forces official Pascal Sleiman in Jbeil by a suspected Syrian car theft gang who then dumped his body in Syria.
"We meet today to discuss the delicate security situation, and what steps must be taken to fortify social stability." He stressed that "Lebanon should have a unified position before the international community on the issue of Syrian refugees and its impact on Lebanon in all its economic, social, security and sovereignty aspects," Mikati said.
"Last week, Lebanon witnessed security incidents, which would have become more widespread had it not been for the efforts of the army and security apparatuses, the seriousness of the investigations, the wisdom of the leaders and authorities, and calls for prudence and discretion, which is the only way to overcome crises," he continued.
In this context, Mikati emphasized, "With the proliferation of crimes committed by some Syrian refugees, the situation must be addressed firmly by the security apparatuses, and urgent measures must be taken to prevent the occurrence of any criminal act and any behaviors that are fundamentally unacceptable by the Syrian brothers who are legally present and forcibly displaced." He asked the Minister of Interior to "strictly enforce Lebanese laws on all displaced persons and deal with cases that violate these laws."
In parallel, Minister of Interior Bassam Mawlawi revealed that "among two million displaced Syrians in Lebanon, only 300,000 have residencies, 800,000 are registered with the UN refugee agency, and 1.2 million are unregistered."
Regarding the situation in South Lebanon, Mikati said that Lebanon insists on placing "Israeli aggressions before the international community" through the submission of complaints to the UN Security Council.
"We refuse the violations of our airspace and we cannot remain silent about Israeli aggressions. We are not advocates of war; however, these aggressions cannot be tolerated. Israel is dragging the region to war, and the international community must be aware of that and end this war," he added.
The consultative meeting was attended by four ministers of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) who have been boycotting cabinet sessions until a new president of the republic is elected to succeed Michel Aoun whose term ended one year and a half ago.
Mikati had previously called for an emergency cabinet session, and later replaced it with a "consultative meeting," which he said allows the participation of most ministers "to share their opinions under the present delicate circumstances," according to a statement his office issued last night.
The cabinet is expected to convene in a formal session on April 26, according to Minister of Information Ziad Makary.
Read more
Comments