Aoun: Syrian Refugees a Major Threat, We Urge President to Ask Army about its Defense Capacity
Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun on Tuesday warned that “the accumulation of refugees” on Lebanon's border with Syria “poses a threat” to the country, adding that President Michel Suleiman must ask the Army Command about "its ability to defend the borders so that we come up with a vision for the defense strategy."
“I said in the past that the accumulation of refugees on the Lebanese border confirms that they are not all refugees and this poses a threat, especially if they are fighters taking part in the war in Syria,” Aoun warned after the weekly meeting of the Change and Reform bloc in Rabiyeh.
“Everyone knows that the issue of asylum starts with individuals asking you for help and ends with them mutineering against you,” he added.
The FPM leader cautioned that “this issue has become very dangerous because they are spread across all areas,” calling on the government to “publish the numbers and oversee residency across Lebanon.”
“No one knows the numbers and this is unacceptable. It is unacceptable that the director of army intelligence, the Intelligence Bureau, the General Security, the State Security, municipalities and mayors don't know anything about the numbers,” Aoun said.
“They should clarify the numbers within 15 days and we will not remain silent,” he stressed.
In response to a reporter's question, Aoun said “the entire region poses a threat to Lebanon and unity can protect Lebanon.”
“The threat comes from outside and the issue of the Syrian refugees reflects massive negligence,” he added.
Criticizing the speech delivered by Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel on the sixth anniversary of the assassination of his son, minister Pierre Gemayel, Aoun said: “We heard a speech saying 'we don't accept half a sovereignty and a quarter of dignity,' but what do you want? The Lebanese army? We want the army as well.”
“We call on the president to ask the Army Command about its ability to defend the borders so that we come up with a vision for the defense strategy and end the political debate,” he added.
On Sunday, Gemayel said: “I will repeat Pierre's words: We will not accept half a dignity, but rather full dignity. We will not accept an incomplete authority for the army, as the army must extend its authority over the 10,452 square kilometers.”
Separately, Aoun told reporters that no one is preventing citizens from “practicing their sovereignty on the ground.”
“There are border regions that don't enjoy sovereignty. There are no security zones and those who committed violations on the airport road were arrested and put in jail,” he noted.
Asked about Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea's latest remarks on boycotting the national dialogue table, Aoun said sarcastically: “I'm seeking a Nobel Peace Prize for Dr. Samir Geagea and he's classifying me as a criminal. What a shame. I don't accept that.”
Source: Naharnet
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