'Syria must act over arms smuggling'

Prime Minister Najib Mikati Beirut - Georges Chahine Prime Minister Najib Mikati made it clear on Monday that Lebanon’s policy of disassociation toward events in Syria has limits when Lebanon’s security is at stake. “When any Syrian raid is carried out on the Lebanese territory, we will oppose and reject it. Whenever there are attempts to cause damage to Lebanon from Syria, will put the self-distancing policy aside and will take the necessary measures.” Mikati told al-Saraya’s journalists. If evidence of attempts to destabilise Lebanon from Syria emerges, Beirut should reconsider its ties to Damascus in a constructive manner, he continued. The prime minister was referring to the case of former Minister Michel Samaha, a close ally of the Syrian government, who has been charged with plotting to carry out terrorist attacks in the country and assassinations of religious and political figures. Rejecting the March 14 coalition’s demands to expel Syria’s envoy to Lebanon, cancel the “sisterly coordination agreements,” and deploying U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon along the border with Syria to prevent violations, Mikati said now was not the time for such issues. “We have done the impossible to establish diplomatic ties between Lebanon and Syria. Is this the time to discuss such a topic? Is the Syrian side capable of discussing this issue under the current circumstances?” he asked. Mikati also said that even if the opposition were in government, they would not have acted differently.  “If they were in government would they have done what they're demanding? Is it the right time? Is UNIFIL ready to deploy along the border with Syria?” he asked. Speaking about arms smuggling into Syria, Mikati said that the Lebanese Army has been deployed along the 550-kilometers border and that the “Syrian army should work to stop the smuggling” also. “We are doing our best to protect our border and to prevent any security breaching, and if there are smugglings, it is supposed that the Syrian, who is stronger, protect its border and prevent them. The Lebanese army is deployed in more than one area and it does what it takes to protect the border and to control security.” Syria alleges that border clashes are primarily due to attempts to smuggle arms to Syrian rebels fighting President Bashar Al-Assad’s government forces. Confirming that he will stand as a candidate in next year’s parliamentary elections, he added the Lebanese government is committed to enacting a new election law. “If there is voting, I will support the addition of add al-Denia and al-Monia to Tripoli as it is difficult to separate them. In this case, Akkar government is going to be one precinct,” he added. Mikati also mentioned the army’s ongoing raids in the Southern suburbs saying: “The army continues its tasks to bring about stability and security and release the kidnapped as soon as possible.” More than 60,000 Syrian refugees have entered Lebanon and numbers are expected to keep increasing, according to UNHCR figures. Mikati also added the government working efficiently is key to the stability of the country.