Higher Defense Council Takes Measures to 'End Behaviors' that Threaten Unity

The Higher Defense Council discussed on Wednesday the Israeli violations and the kidnap-for-ransom phenomenon that has lately spread in the country, calling for ending “behaviors” that ignite strife.

Following a meeting it held at Baabda palace under President Michel Suleiman, the Council “discussed the country's general security situation, mainly the South after Israel intensified its overflights and violations, and some areas that witnessed trouble and security incidents.”

Israeli flights have been recently intense, although they frequently overly south Lebanon, and Beirut often files complaints with the U.N. over the incursions into its airspace.

The statement read by the Council's Secretary-General, Maj. Gen. Adnan Merheb, also said that the conferees discussed the kidnappings of wealthy businessmen and their relatives in return for ransom.

It was briefed by the security agencies on the measures undertaken to control the security situation and prevent the distortion of civil peace.

The Council “gave instructions to the involved ministries and the heads of security agencies on the security and judicial measures that they should undertake to limit the behaviors that threaten national unity and ignite sectarian strife.”

The Council kept its decision confidential.