Phalange: Lebanese-Syrian Border Areas Should Be Declared Military Zone under Army's Control

The Phalange Party warned on Monday of the dangerousness of the situation along the Lebanese-Syrian border, saying they may soon turn into an “open front.”

It therefore demanded after its weekly politburo meeting that the border areas “be declared a military zone under the control of the army.”

It also suggested that the government modify article 14 of United Nations Security Council resolution 1701 to allow the deployment of the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon along the area to support the army.

The border areas have come under shelling by Syrian regime forces on a number of occasions in recent months with Syria saying that its troops were pursuing armed terrorist groups.

The deployment of the army and UNIFIL will help prevent the spread of the Syrian conflict to Lebanon, stressed the Phalange Party.

It also renewed its commitment to the Baabda Declaration that calls for Lebanon to keep its distance from regional conflicts, especially the developments in Syria.

The declaration was signed by the members of the national dialogue during a session held in June 2012.

Furthermore, the Phalange Party hoped that the recent decisions of the Higher Defense Council will be implemented “in order to avert the dangers of sectarian incitement and halt the incidents that are threatening stability, such as kidnappings and the spread of arms throughout the country.”

“Any leniency in implementing the security measures will have repercussions on the security and economic levels,” warned the party.

The repercussions are beginning to emerge with investors threatening to leave Lebanon if the government failed to contain the unstable situation, it said.

It therefore demanded that the government abandon “its policy of concessions and appeasement.”

Addressing the discussions over a new parliamentary electoral law, the Phalange Party “adamantly” rejected the postponement of the elections.

“Its delay will serve as a fatal blow to Lebanese democracy,” it remarked.

It consequently called on all sides to perform their duties, demanding that officials agree on a fair electoral law within the constitutional deadlines.

In addition, it warned against extending the term of the current parliament should an agreement over a new law fail to be reached.

“The extension may thwart any future agreement on a new law and lead the country towards the unknown,” it noted.

“Furthermore, the extension will make the de facto forces more powerful than the weakened state, which is incapable of taking central decisions,” it said.

“The Phalange Party will not spare any effort to prevent the postponement of the elections,” it stressed.

“It is shameful that the people are capable of holding civilized by-elections in a number of regions while the state is incapable of holding the parliamentary elections on time,” it lamented.

Municipal by-elections were held without incident in several regions in Lebanon on Sunday.

Various political powers approved the Orthodox Gathering electoral law, which was rejected by President Michel Suleiman, Premier Najib Miqati, the Mustaqbal bloc, independent Christian March 14 officials, and the National Struggle Front of MP Walid Jumblat.

Discussions have intensified between the factions in recent weeks in order to reach an agreement over a new law to avoid the possibility of the postponement of the elections, which are scheduled for June 9.