March 14 Lauds 'Brave Decision' to End Roumieh 'Chaos'

The March 14 general-secretariat congratulated on Wednesday Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq and security forces on the closure of the notorious block B of Roumieh prison that lies east of Beirut.

“Al-Mashnouq took a brave decision to end the chaos at Roumieh prison,” said the general-secretariat following its weekly meeting.

It also “congratulated the Internal Security Forces and the Lebanese army on the seriousness and professionalism in implementing the political decision.”

“The state's end of disorder inside Roumieh prison proves once again that the legitimate Lebanese security and military forces are capable of enforcing the law,” said the statement.

The conferees hoped that the prison's experience would be an example for the spread of the state's authority on all Lebanese territories “as soon as the opportunity arises.”

Lebanese forces transferred on Monday detainees from block B where Islamists were being held after an investigation suggested that the recent suicide bombing in the northern city of Tripoli was directed from the facility, said al-Mashnouq.

The prisoners were transferred to block D, which has been renovated and has better security.

The March 14 general-secretariat “strongly condemned” the suicide bombing carried out on Saturday by two Tripoli residents at a packed cafe in the mostly Alawite district of Jabal Mohsen.

It reiterated its call on “Lebanese political, security and military authorities to take a final and decisive decision on banning any form of import and export of violence from and to Syria.”

The statement also said that terrorism will not stop if the authorities do not closely monitor legal and illegal border crossings and stop Hizbullah and other fighters from using them.

March 14 officials reject Hizbullah's involvement in Syria's war. The party has sent its members to fight alongside troops loyal to President Bashar Assad against rebels seeking to topple him.

The officials continue to accuse Hizbullah of causing the spillover of the Syrian crisis to Lebanon.

G.K.

D.A.