Charbel Rejects Any Attempt by Displaced Syrians to Engage in Anti-Assad Activity

Interior Minister Marwan Charbel has appeased fears on the growing clashes and gunfire in Syrian towns bordering Lebanon but warned against any attempt by Syrian refugees to engage in political activity against their country’s rule.

In remarks to pan-Arab Asharq al-Awsat daily on Friday, Charbel said: “There are no political intentions behind what’s going on the border between Lebanon and Syria from time to time.”

“When a shooting or clashes take place in Syrian areas close to Lebanon, some Lebanese border towns are hit by gunfire but there is no feud between Lebanon and Syria,” the minister told the newspaper.

“Lebanon will remain immune from the dangers because everyone wants that Lebanon becomes stable,” he said.

Charbel stressed his keenness on controlling the border with Syria to prevent arms struggling.

Syrian troops fired rocket propelled grenades into northern Lebanon on Wednesday night, sparking panic among the local population.

Heavy machinegun fire followed by shelling erupted at around 9:00 pm from the Syrian side of the border, near the Lebanese village of Muqaybleh, prompting some residents to flee.

Asked how the country was dealing with Syrian refugees escaping the deadly crackdown on protestors, Charbel said: “It is our duty to provide humanitarian and social assistance to the displaced, particularly to those who are wounded and have no shelter … on condition that no one tampers with Lebanese security.”

He warned against any attempt by Syrians to come to Lebanon to engage in political activities against the Assad regime.

“This is a sensitive issue and we won’t allow it,” Charbel said.

Thousands of Syrians have fled to Lebanon since the revolt against the Assad regime broke out in March last year.

Syria has mined several regions along the porous border to prevent the smuggling of weapons and infiltration of rebel fighters.