Suleiman: Free Syrian Army Has Not Set up Camps in the North

President Michel Suleiman denied on Wednesday claims that the Free Syrian army has set up camps in northern Lebanon.

He said: “I have not received any information on such a development, but that does not mean that the security situation in Lebanon is well.”

He made his remarks after meeting with a delegation from the editors syndicate.

The president made his statements in response to claims by Marada Movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh, who has stated that the rebel Free Syrian Army had set up five camps in the North.

“The armed Syrian opposition has entered Lebanon,” declared the MP, hoping that an investigation will be launched in the matter.

Suleiman continued: “The Syrian opposition members present in Lebanon have not had the opportunity to form a military entity in the country.”

“The army is monitoring the situation,” he stressed.

Commenting on the spread of the Syrian crisis to Lebanon, the president noted that the country has “for the most part” maintained a neutral position from the unrest.

He stressed the importance of implementing the decisions of the Baabda declaration that was issued during the June 11 national dialogue session.

The declaration demanded that Lebanon maintain a neutral position on the Syrian crisis, warning against using Lebanon as a base for arming rebels against the Syrian regime.

“An agreement was reached on this issue and it is important that it be implemented,” added Suleiman.

Addressing the Sidon sit-in led by the Imam of the Bilal bin Rabah mosque Sheikh Ahmed al-Asir, the president said: “The state will perform its duties in a manner it sees fit to reassure the people.”

“Who said that the state is not performing its obligations?” he asked.

Salafist cleric Asir launched his open-ended sit-in last week to protest non-state arms, including Hizbullah's arsenal.

He has threatened an escalation if the arms issue is not tackled by Lebanese authorities.