March 14: Syria’s Violation of Lebanese Territory Must Be Presented at International Forums
The March 14 General Secretariat condemned on Wednesday the Syrian army’s recent incursions into Lebanese territory, demanding that the parliamentary defense council convene with the defense minister and army command to tackle the affair.
It said in a statement after its weekly meeting: “Syria’s violations should be brought up before all Arab and international forums.”
It also asserted that the Lebanese army alone is responsible for controlling the Lebanese-Syrian border and thwarting any smuggling attempts.
“The Syrian infiltration is a blatant violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty,” it added.
Furthermore, it noted: “The violation coincided with complete silence over the issue by the president, government, and army leadership, which they justify with the cooperation and coordination agreement that was signed between Lebanon and Syria in 1991.”
Last week, Syrian troops crossed the border into Lebanon and headed towards the area of Arsal in the Bekaa where they fired at a building.
A few weeks before that, the army infiltrated northern Lebanon where it accidentally opened fire at the Lebanese soldiers whom it mistook for armed individuals who had allegedly fled Syria.
Addressing the clashes that took place in Egypt between Coptic Christians security forces, the March 14 General Secretariat noted: “These unfortunate events took place during a transition period ahead of upcoming elections.”
“They are aimed at tarnishing the image of the Arab Spring and attacking Egyptian internal unity at a critical time for the Arab world, it stated.
“The Lebanese who have paid the price of sectarian division urge the Egyptians to unite to ensure the rise of a fair state that believes in guaranteeing the rights of all citizens, whether they are Christians or Muslims,” it stressed.
“Resorting to the state is enough to thwart strife and establish the reality that the Egyptian youth have strived for,” it added.
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