Khoury Says Poor Border Demarcation Reason behind Syrian Incursions
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Head of the Lebanese-Syrian Higher Council Nasri Khoury attributed the Syrian incursions into Lebanon to the lack of clear demarcated borders between the two countries.
“The land between Lebanon and Syria in al-Qaa and the northern border are poorly demarcated,” Khoury said in an interview with al-Liwaa newspaper on Thursday.
He pointed out that many Lebanese citizens own land in Syria and vice-versa.
Lebanon and Syria share a 330-kilometer border but have yet to agree on official demarcation.
Khoury said that the Lebanese army is the only authority that can say if the Syrian forces are infiltrating Lebanese territories or not.
Concerning the smuggling of weapons into Syria, he noted that it has been ongoing for a very long time as controlling the border isn’t “an easy task.”
The Syrian regime has repeatedly said that weapons are being smuggled from Lebanon to arm the rebel Free Syrian Army.
Asked about the reports saying that Syrian troops have recently crossed into Lebanese territories and planted mines, Khoury denied that he received any official report regarding the incident.
Syrian troops have carried out a number of cross-border raids into Lebanon since the outbreak of the revolt against the regime of President Bashar Assad, sparking fears of a spillover of the conflict.
Khoury pointed out that the situation of the Syrian refugees in Lebanese border towns is a humanitarian issue that should be handled through the ambassadors of the two countries and not through the Lebanese-Syrian Higher Council.
According to U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, the number of Syrian refugees in Lebanon rose to 28,000 but only 20,000 of them are receiving humanitarian assistance throughout the country.
21 June 2012, 11:55
01
i would like to see Nasri Khoury,once in his life, defends Lebanon's interest and sovereignty and not continuously finding exuses to the syrian regime.
21 June 2012, 16:52
00
Khoury will you personally demarcate the border? The Lebanese will donate chalk and a measuring for your mission should you accept it.
Weapon-smuggling is starting to sound a little cartoonish. One side smuggles weapons in, the other out. We should build an oval conveyor belt to move weapons between Lebanon and Syria. Each party will pick the weapons it wants and donate those that it doesn't.
21 June 2012, 18:50
00
Demarcating the border is the top priority for Assad right now. Politicians are all talk and no action. Why don't you deploy the army along the border in towns that are clearly within the Lebanese border? Also, give the army the mandate to intercept any arms shipment going in or out of Lebanon. Confiscated weapons will become the property of the army. The cost of the deployment will be paid for in political and economical stability (increased tourism, etc.). Is there some politician or committee of politicians that can crunch the numbers? It's a good opportunity to ask for handouts from the international community to achieve this goal. Israel will probably pitch in since it is so concerned about regional stability. M8 can charge the Israelis a 10% premium for causing the instability or whatever reason it can use to justify the surcharge. Where's the Lebanese entrepreneurial spirit?
