Phalange Party Calls for Tightening Security Measures on Border with Syria

Phalange Party on Monday condemned the continuous Syrian violations of Lebanon's sovereignty, calling on concerned authorities to tighten security measure on the border with the neighboring country.

"Security measures are very important in al-Masnah, al-Abboudiyeh, and al-Arida border crossings,” the conferees said in a released statement after the political bureau's weekly meeting.

They added: “The identities of the people arriving to Lebanon must be checked to prevent groups belonging to suspicious cells from entering the country.”

The political bureau called for not allowing in any foreigners "with no valid and official documents with detailed information regarding their residence in Lebanon."

“We also urge concerned authorities to go after suspicious cells in the country that work on inciting sedition through placing bombs in different regions.”

The politburo pointed out to the accumulating problems in the country "with parliamentary and governmental dimensions," calling for solving the political problems obstructing the cabinet's formation.

“Forming a strong cabinet is the necessary passageway to fixing these problems.”

The politburo praised President Michel Suleiman's speech on Army Day, considering it a roadmap for Lebanon's “salvation.”

"We demand that the Baabda Declaration becomes a basis for any new cabinet's policy statement, whatever was its form or size,” it said.

"We also reject the use of rockets as a response to such patriotic stances."

"This is a national failure and political impotence.”

During a speech he gave at a ceremony marking Lebanon's 68th Army Day, Suleiman lashed out at the military interventions in Syria, without naming any sides, saying the blood of Lebanese should not be sacrificed to serve the interests of other countries.

He called for a review of the national defense strategy, while stressing the state should enjoy a monopoly over the use of military force to defend Lebanon’s sovereignty.