Charbel Launches NYE Security Plan: Country Going Through Difficult but Not Dangerous Period
Caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel on Tuesday announced that the country is going through “a difficult but not dangerous period,” urging citizens to avoid celebratory gunfire on New Year's Eve.
“There's no doubt that we're going through a difficult period, but it's not dangerous, and there are indications that dialogue will be held in the new year so that we form a new cabinet and start building the state and its institutions,” Charbel reassured, as he launched a security plan for the NYE from the Dbaye barracks.
“We thank security forces and all those who will spend the night in the streets” to preserve public safety, Charbel said.
“We wish you a night free of any security incidents and we hope no one will drive while drunk,” he added.
The minister called on everyone not to shoot in the air to celebrate the coming of the new year, warning that “the bullets might hit their relatives, friends or innocent passersby.”
“Anyone who opens fire will be arrested,” he noted.
“We thank the army which is coordinating with the security agencies,” said Charbel.
Lebanon witnessed numerous security incidents that are linked to the Syrian crisis in 2013, the last of which was the assassination of former minister Mohammed Shatah in a powerful bombing in downtown Beirut on December 27.
Throughout the year, deadly bombings also rocked Beirut's southern suburbs and the northern city of Tripoli.
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