Mashnouq: Arsal is Occupied, but We Should Avoid Being Dragged into Syrian Conflict

Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq hailed on Friday the General Security on its success in releasing the 16 servicemen who were being held by the extremist al-Nusra Front, acknowledging that the northeastern border region of Arsal is “occupied”.

He said in a press conference after meeting General Security chief Abbas Ibrahim: “The region of Arsal is occupied and our main policy is to avoid being dragged into the Syrian conflict.”

The servicemen were released on Tuesday through a Qatari-sponsored deal that included a prisoner swap that saw the release of inmates from Lebanese and Syrian jails.

Footage of the exchange showed images of armed Nusra Front members freely roaming the Lebanese area of Arsal.

Speaker Nabih Berri on Wednesday condemned such images, saying that the country's sovereignty has been violated.

Mashnouq added: “The army and our main concern is to avoid being dragged into the Syrian conflict. It is easy to launch a military campaign in Arsal, but we choose not to do so.”

“We thank God that we have so far not been dragged into the neighboring war,” he continued.

Furthermore, he revealed that there are over 120,000 Syrian refugees in the Arsal region.

“We should work more on reinforcing our internal unity,” he noted.

The minister stressed: “Protecting our country lies in a healthy political scene and ensuring the safe return of the remaining servicemen.”

The servicemen were abducted in the wake of clashes with the Nusra Front and Islamic State group in August 2014.

The Islamic State continues to hold nine hostages.

“We will spare no effort to ensure their release,” declared Mashnouq.

M.T.

D.A.