Naharnet

March 14 Urges Govt. to Join International Coalition against IS

The March 14 General Secretariat called Wednesday on the government to take the necessary measures to prevent the spread of the Syrian conflict to Lebanon.

To that end, it urged the government to “clearly join the international coalition against the Islamic State group.”

It made its remarks after its weekly meeting.

“Joining the coalition will provide our army with international immunity and practical measures to combat terrorism,” explained the general secretariat.

In addition, it demanded that the cabinet vote on expanding the jurisdiction of United Nations Security Council resolution 1701 so that it would be adopted on Lebanese-Syrian border.

“Joining the international coalition and expanding the jurisdiction of the resolution should be top priorities for the 'government of national interest',” it stressed.

The United States is leading a coalition, comprised of several countries, aimed at combating the spread of the IS jihadist group in Iraq and Syria.

Lebanon first joined the coalition when Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil attended talks in Jeddah last month during which ten Arab countries agreed to help the U.S. in its fight against IS.

After Bassil's return from Jeddah, some officials began claiming that Lebanon is not part of the coalition over fears that warplanes would carry out strikes in the country in violation of its sovereignty.


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