Miqati Urges End to 'Increasing Involvement' in Syrian Conflict

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati on Friday urged the Lebanese parties to stop their intervention in the Syrian conflict and abide by Lebanon's so-called dissociation policy.

“I would like to make a sincere appeal to the Lebanese to stop the increasing involvement in the Syrian conflict and maintain the self-dissociation policy,” Miqati said in a speech at the opening of the International Conference of Peace Messengers at the Grand Serail.

“The Lebanese should stay out of what's happening in Syria to prevent strife from spilling over into our territory,” Miqati stressed.

“What alternative do we have other than dialogue? No camp can eliminate another and no one can impose their hegemony on the country, as Lebanon's feature is diversity,” he went on to say.

Turning to the issue of the deadly clashes that have been raging in Tripoli, his hometown, since more than three weeks, Miqati said: “Yesterday (Thursday), security and safety were restored in Tripoli which has become exhausted from the burdens laid on its shoulders.”

“Tripoli's residents have always overcome the tribulations and the city will rise above its wounds,” Miqati added.

He stressed that the army is a guarantee for civil peace and “the shield of the country” and “it has sided with the principle of the state,” urging everyone to “stand by the guardian of the state.”

As Miqati delivered his speech, one person was killed and at least five other were wounded in renewed clashes in central Tripoli between armed Salafists and gunmen loyal to Damascus and Hizbullah.

The central Tripoli fighting comes after some three weeks of sectarian fighting in the flashpoint Jabal Mohsen and Bab al-Tabbaneh neighborhoods, during which around 40 people were killed and more than 200 wounded.

The army raided weapons depots and made arrests on Thursday as a massive deployment across the city has managed to relatively suppress the violence.

Commenting on the cabinet formation process, Miqati said: “We put all of our capabilities at the disposal of PM-designate Tammam Salam to contribute to the formation of a new cabinet as soon as possible."