Mawlawi reassures Arabs after Central Security Council meeting
Caretaker Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi on Monday reassured that Lebanese authorities “have taken all the necessary measures to prevent the spread of clashes to areas outside the Ain el-Helweh camp and to preserve the security of Lebanese and Arab brothers.”
“Our keenness on Arabs present on Lebanese soil is not less than our keenness on the Lebanese,” Mawlawi said after a meeting of the Central Security Council.
“There is no security information that things might spiral out of control at the Ain el-Helweh camp and eventually spread to other camps,” the minister reassured.
He added: “There will be no bargaining over the enforcement of the law and we won’t accept to be dragged into another situation.”
“Lebanon is not a mailbox and we will not permit that it become an arena for sending messages,” Mawlawi went on to say.
The Central Security Council meeting was held at the instructions of caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, after the embassies of the Gulf countries issues Lebanon travel warnings for their citizens.
"Following discussions with military and security chiefs, the available information indicates that the security situation in general does not call for concern and panic, and that the political and security contacts to address the Ain el-Helweh camp clashes have made major progress," Mikati said on Saturday.
Mikati also tasked caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib to "communicate with the Arab brothers to reassure them over the safety of their citizens in Lebanon."
The Army Command meanwhile denied social media rumors claiming that the army is "preparing to carry out a military operation in the Ain al-Helweh camp."
The Saudi embassy on Friday warned its citizens against "nearing the areas that are witnessing armed conflicts," while urging them to "quickly leave Lebanese territory and abide by the decision banning the travel of Saudis to Lebanon."
The Kuwaiti embassy for its part called on its citizens to "observe caution and vigilance, stay away from the sites of security disturbances in some regions, and abide by the instructions issued by the competent local authorities."
The UAE, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman later issued similar travel warnings.
Relations between Lebanon and Gulf Arab states have at times been strained over the growing regional influence of Lebanon's pro-Iran Hezbollah.
Since 2021, Saudis have had to obtain their government's permission before traveling to Lebanon due to strained bilateral ties.
Riyadh returned its ambassador to Beirut in April 2022, just over five months after recalling him amid a diplomatic dispute pitting Lebanon against several Gulf monarchies.
Riyadh also suspended fruit and vegetable imports from Lebanon in April 2021, saying shipments were being used for drug smuggling and accusing Lebanon of inaction.
Source: Naharnet, Agence France Presse
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