Lebanese Government Mobilizes to Address Rising Tensions on the Syrian Border
Following recent clashes, President Aoun calls for urgent measures to ensure stability and coordination with Syrian authorities.
The Lebanese government is ramping up efforts to contain escalating tensions along its border with Syria, following clashes that resulted in fatalities on both sides.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has reached out to Foreign Minister Joseph Raji, who is currently attending a European Union conference in Brussels aimed at supporting Syria's future.
Aoun directed Raji to engage with the Syrian delegation at the conference to address the current situation swiftly, emphasizing the need to respect the sovereignty of both nations and prevent further deterioration in conditions along the border.
President Aoun underscored the seriousness of the ongoing situation, stating that the incidents along the eastern and northeastern borders are unsustainable.
He has been closely monitoring developments since the outbreak of violence and has instructed the Lebanese military to respond to sources of gunfire.
During a government meeting, the Minister of Information, Paul Merhaj, announced the formation of a ministerial committee tasked with proposing necessary measures to regulate and monitor the border and combat smuggling activities.
This action came during a cabinet session chaired by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, marking a shift in leadership from previous sessions led by President Aoun.
Merhaj reported that Minister of Defense Michel Khoury informed the cabinet that three Syrian smugglers died in the clashes, with their bodies transferred to the Syrian authorities via the Red Cross.
Salam expressed the need for improved cooperation with Syrian authorities to prevent sudden security incidents, which had led to significant civilian casualties, including the death of a child and injuries to six others, in addition to the displacement of unarmed civilians.
The Minister of Information stated that relevant ministers have been instructed to elevate coordination with Syrian officials to address these issues effectively.
A committee has been established, led by the Prime Minister and including ministers from key departments such as Interior, Defense, Finance, Public Works, and Justice, to propose further measures for border regulation and smuggling prevention.
In related remarks, Member of Parliament Ali Al-Muqdad, part of the Hezbollah bloc, conveyed that Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has urged the Lebanese military to serve as the primary protector of the national border.
Al-Muqdad noted that there have been ongoing incidents at the northeastern border for over three months, with a significant attack occurring recently that targeted Lebanese territory and resulted in civilian casualties, including the death of a 14-year-old boy.
He stressed the necessity for the military to safeguard the border and called for a resolution to the situation affecting approximately 130,000 displaced individuals from Syrian territories who were forced from their homes.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has reached out to Foreign Minister Joseph Raji, who is currently attending a European Union conference in Brussels aimed at supporting Syria's future.
Aoun directed Raji to engage with the Syrian delegation at the conference to address the current situation swiftly, emphasizing the need to respect the sovereignty of both nations and prevent further deterioration in conditions along the border.
President Aoun underscored the seriousness of the ongoing situation, stating that the incidents along the eastern and northeastern borders are unsustainable.
He has been closely monitoring developments since the outbreak of violence and has instructed the Lebanese military to respond to sources of gunfire.
During a government meeting, the Minister of Information, Paul Merhaj, announced the formation of a ministerial committee tasked with proposing necessary measures to regulate and monitor the border and combat smuggling activities.
This action came during a cabinet session chaired by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, marking a shift in leadership from previous sessions led by President Aoun.
Merhaj reported that Minister of Defense Michel Khoury informed the cabinet that three Syrian smugglers died in the clashes, with their bodies transferred to the Syrian authorities via the Red Cross.
Salam expressed the need for improved cooperation with Syrian authorities to prevent sudden security incidents, which had led to significant civilian casualties, including the death of a child and injuries to six others, in addition to the displacement of unarmed civilians.
The Minister of Information stated that relevant ministers have been instructed to elevate coordination with Syrian officials to address these issues effectively.
A committee has been established, led by the Prime Minister and including ministers from key departments such as Interior, Defense, Finance, Public Works, and Justice, to propose further measures for border regulation and smuggling prevention.
In related remarks, Member of Parliament Ali Al-Muqdad, part of the Hezbollah bloc, conveyed that Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has urged the Lebanese military to serve as the primary protector of the national border.
Al-Muqdad noted that there have been ongoing incidents at the northeastern border for over three months, with a significant attack occurring recently that targeted Lebanese territory and resulted in civilian casualties, including the death of a 14-year-old boy.
He stressed the necessity for the military to safeguard the border and called for a resolution to the situation affecting approximately 130,000 displaced individuals from Syrian territories who were forced from their homes.
