Charbel: All Security Precautions Have Been Taken ahead of al-Rahi’s Visit to Akkar
Interior Minister Marwan Charbel stressed on Sunday the importance of national dialogue in tackling pending issues in Lebanon, saying that dialogue must never stop, reported Voice of Lebanon radio.
He told VDL: “All precautions have been taken ahead of Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi’s visit to Akkar.”
“Everyone is welcome to the visit,” he said.
Commenting on the arrest of former minister and MP Michel Samaha, he said: “The security forces arrested Samaha with the General Prosecution’s approval.”
“This issue will not affect the national dialogue,” added Charbel.
Addressing calls for severing ties with Syria in light of Samaha’s arrest, the minister noted: “The suspension of ties is a political decision, while Samaha’s arrest is linked to the legal field.”
The Military Tribunal charged on Saturday Samaha and Syrian security Chief Maj. Gen. Ali Mamlouk with forming a group to commit crimes in Lebanon.
Some reports said that they were planning on carrying out attacks against various political and religious figures, including al-Rahi during his four-day visit to Akkar and Tripoli, which he kicks off on Monday.
The patriarch had held talks on Friday with Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji on various developments in Lebanon and his visit to Akkar.
Qahwaji stressed that the military institution has taken all necessary arrangements for the trip.
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