Charbel: We Must Provide Preemptive Security in Lebanon

Caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel noted on Thursday that Lebanon is passing through a difficult phase in light of the car bombings that have taken place in Beirut's southern suburbs and in the northern city of Tripoli.

He stressed: “We must provide preemptive security in Lebanon in order to confront these challenges.”

“We are working in coordination with all security agencies and have placed a plan to tackle the difficulties,” he revealed during the launch of a plan to activate the role of municipal police in supporting the Internal Security Forces in maintaining security.

“The municipality is the most important power in Lebanon,” remarked Charbel at the launch that was held at the Beirut International Exhibition and Leisure Center (BIEL).

“Starting Friday, we will execute all the plans devised with the security forces and in cooperation with the municipalities,” he added.

“We hope all sides, including the municipalities, will cooperate with each other,” stated the minister.

Twenty-seven people were killed and 280 wounded in a bombing on August 15 in the Ruwais neighborhood in Beirut's southern suburb of Dahieh.

Forty-five people were killed and over 800 wounded in a twin explosions in the northern city of Tripoli on August 23.

The blasts targeted the Taqwa and al-Salam mosques as worshipers were performing weekly prayers.