Hujeiri Denies Gunmen Infiltrated Arsal, Slams False 'Rumors'

Head of Arsal Municipality Ali al-Hujeiri denied on Wednesday that Syrian gunmen infiltrated the town after the Lebanese army deployed in the area.

“The rumors are inaccurate,” Hujeiri told al-Liwaa newspaper, calling on those stating the false reports to “have mercy on Arsal and its residents who have been harmed.”

He pointed out that the army is the only authority in the Bekaa village, adding the “it has deployed in the town and on its outskirts.”

However, Voice of Lebanon radio reported on Wednesday the army units in Arsal went on high alert and upped their security measures after gunmen infiltrated the town and intimidated its residents.”

“We will resist and we reject the return of any armed men... But it's clear that there are sides that want the war in Arsal and with its residents to go on,” Hujeiri told the newspaper.

Media reports said that a group of gunmen deployed on Monday in the northeastern border town, a day after militants raided the houses of residents, who are staunch supporters of the Lebanese army.

Arsal lies 12 kilometers from the border with Syria and has been used as a conduit for weapons and rebels to enter Syria, while also serving as a refuge for people fleeing the conflict.

However, the residents of Arsal were angered after jihadists from Syria attacked their town earlier in August.

The fighting between troops and extremist fighters broke out on August 2 when jihadists from Syria attacked army and police posts in Arsal after the arrest of a militant accused of belonging to the al-Qaida affiliate al-Nusra Front.

“We insist on having the best of ties with neighboring towns and the army is keen that the lies circulated are not true,” Hujeiri said. “We demand the presence of the state in the town on security and development levels.”

“The situation is normal here.”

H.K.

G.K.