'Our country is not for sale': Mawlawi dubs Syrian presence a security threat
Caretaker Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi on Wednesday warned that the Syrian presence in Lebanon has become a “security threat,” warning municipalities and mayors against being lax in reining in violations committed by Syrians.
“The issue of the heavy Syrian presence in Lebanon exceeds the infrastructure’s capacity and the state and citizens cannot tolerate this presence,” Mawlawi said at a press conference.
“A large number of various and major crimes are being committed by Syrians in Lebanon with a percentage that is above 30% and this issue requires cooperation so that we preserve our society and our country’s image and identity,” the minister added.
“We cannot remain in a state of laxity or inattention towards the Syrian presence and we have told all municipalities that we will hold accountable every person who is negligent towards his people and town,” Mawlawi went on to say.
“We will not allow chaotic Syrian presence,” he pledged, calling on municipalities to “submit periodic reports every 15 days about what they did in terms of suppressing and removing the violations of the Syrian presence.”
The minister added: “Our country is not for sale and we will not accept this matter. We will not accept to overlook the interest of our country in return for certain aid or money from whichever side they might come from.”
“We want a plan to repatriate the refugees within a clear timeframe, our meetings are not aimed at organizing the Syrian presence, and we will not accept any aid aimed at overlooking any illegal Syrian presence,” Mawlawi vowed.
Source: Naharnet
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