Charbel Says Lebanese 'Deeply' Involved in Crisis in Syria

Interior Minister Marwan Charbel stressed on Sunday that the Lebanese are “deeply involved” in the Syrian conflict despite the government’s dissociation policy as per the Baabda Declaration.

“Everyone is involved in the strong rhetoric and the exportation of arms,” Charbel said in comments published in the pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat.

The Baabda Declaration was sponsored by Suleiman and calls for different parties to adhere to the disassociation policy to avoid the spread of the unrest in Syria to Lebanese territories.

Charbel pointed out that he hasn't yet obtained any information on reports saying that Hizbullah is involved in clashes in the Syrian town of al-Qussair.

The minister expressed fears over the fallout from the Syrian conflict on stability in Lebanon

Charbel called on officials to understand the critical situation the country is passing through.

He noted that the government obtained the names of several Lebanese who are helping the Syrian regime and others the Free Syrian Army.

The minister said that the situation in Syria has an impact on Lebanon's economy and security situation because of the fusion between the people of the two countries.

Lebanese parties are sharply divided over the crisis in Syria as the March 8 alliance continuously expresses its support to Syrian president Bashar Assad, while the March 14 camp backs the popular revolt.

The international community and analysts have expressed fears that the conflict in Syria may spill over into Lebanon.

Asked about Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour's statements over Syria at the Arab Foreign Ministers meeting, Charbel said that the FM intended to call on the Syrians to launch dialogue to end the strife in the neighboring country.

Mansour had called in his speech for scrapping a decision to suspend the membership of Syria from the Arab League.

Charbel pointed out that the Lebanese government is communicating with the Syrian authorities through the Foreign Ministry.

Concerning the case of former Minister Michel Samaha, the Interior Minister said that investigations will reveal the identities of those involved in the case, stressing that the judiciary should carry its tasks without any intervention.

The Military Tribunal issued in February an indictment against Samaha and a Syrian official on charges of planning to carry out terrorist attacks in Lebanon.

First Military Investigation Judge Riyad Abu Ghida indicted Samaha and Syrian security official Ali Mamlouk on terrorism charges.

They may face the death penalty if convicted.

Samaha was detained in August, but Mamlouk remains free.

Concerning Charbel's proposal on the parliament to meet to put a defense document to spare Lebanon division, the minister said that there are 18 sects in Lebanon that are allowed to have different points of view regarding politics, however, he said that the spread of arms is “unacceptable.”