Zasypkin Fears Syria War Could Trigger Qaida Presence in Lebanon

Russian ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Zasypkin expressed fear on Friday over attempts to drag the country into a sectarian strife, pointing out that the ongoing crisis in the neighboring country Syria might instigate the spread of al-Qaida members in Lebanon.

“The turmoil in Syria has a negative impact on Lebanon, in particular, concerning the cross-border smuggling of arms and fighters between the two countries,” Zasypkin said in an interview with As Safir newspaper.

He pointed out that the situation along the Lebanese-Syrian border is “complicated” as several groups are using Lebanon's territories to aid armed groups fighting against Syrian forces.

“It is better to resolve the matter through communication between the authorities of the two countries and abiding by the existing agreements... We are holding onto the sovereignty of Lebanon,” the ambassador said.

Since the Syrian uprising began in March 2011, there have been numerous deadly clashes along the northern and eastern borders of Lebanon, usually between the Syrian army and armed Syrian or Lebanese groups backing the uprising.

Concerning reports saying that Hizbullah fighters are engaged in battles in Syria alongside the forces of Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime, Zasypkin refused to comment, saying: “there are no accurate information regarding the matter.”

The rebel Free Syrian Army claimed earlier this week to have fired shells on Lebanon at the weekend, blaming Hizbullah for firing from Lebanon and positions inside Syria on rebel-held areas in the strife-torn Qusayr area, near the border.

The diplomat said that al-Qaida doesn't exist in Lebanon but the conflict in Syria might provoke it.

On the appointment of the new Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam, Zasypkin considered it as an opportunity to swiftly form the government and hold the parliamentary elections.

“The political powers should have a will to agree on the controversial matters... All disputes are minor in comparison with stability, security and dissociation from the conflict in Syria,” he pointed out.

The rival parties has adopted a policy of "disassociation" in the conflict in neighboring Syria, and has been reluctant to publicly blame either rebel or regime forces.