Syrian Ambassador Says Lebanon Must Do More to Control Border

Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdul Karim Ali on Monday called on the Lebanese state to be “very strict” in controlling its border with his country and to prevent “the infiltration of gunmen” from Syria into Lebanon.

“There is a safe haven for extremist groups, which are being given several labels, and we urge the Lebanese state to pay attention to this safe haven,” Ali said, referring to Lebanese border towns in the North and the Bekaa provinces.

The Lebanese army on Sunday arrested 33 gunmen who had infiltrated the Lebanese territory from Syria, with reports saying they comprised members of the rebel Free Syrian Army. Several wounded Syrians also arrived in Lebanon, fleeing a government assault on the central province of Homs.

“The (Lebanese) government and the relevant institutes are required to implement the agreements between the two countries. They are doing that now, but in an insufficient manner,” Ali added.

“I know that they are addressing the issues, but I hope they follow up things very seriously because the situation in Lebanon is sensitive and all the elements posing a threat to Lebanon must be confronted, as it (Lebanon) is integrated with Syria,” the Syrian envoy went on to say.

He urged the Lebanese officials to be “serious in dealing with the gunmen who are shedding the Syrian blood.”

Ali also expressed his belief that Syria was about to exit its crisis, but noted that the help of the neighboring countries is needed.

The Syrian ambassador declined to comment on Lebanon’s so-called “self-disassociation” approach towards the Syrian crisis, although Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem has hailed it.