Mashnouq Warns: Situation in Arsal Could Degrade with the Onset of Winter

إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية W460

Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq warned on Monday of the dangerous situation in the northeastern border town of Arsal with the onset of winter as gunmen would have to leave their positions on the outskirts either back into Syria or would enter the village.

“If the jihadists decided to advance into Arsal at the beginning of winter new clashes would erupt with the Lebanese army,” Mashnouq said in an interview with the pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat.

He estimated the number of gunmen to be 2,000, pointing out that they are well-armed and have advanced weapons.

“Some were stolen from army positions that they controlled in August.”

The Minister, who is affiliated to al-Mustaqbal movement, told the newspaper that Hizbullah is seeking to put the army at the forefront of battles with the jihadists in order to strengthen its posts along the country's eastern border with Syria to cut-off the crawling of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) into Lebanon.

The Jihadists overran the town in August when the military arrested a prominent al-Qaida-affiliated al-Nusra Front member.

Scores of soldiers were killed and wounded in the battles that ensued the attack. Several others were taken hostage.

A few of the captives have since been released, while two others were beheaded, prompting a backlash against Syrian refugees in Lebanon.

Mashnouq, who accompanied Prime Minister Tammam Salam to Qatar on Sunday for a one-day visit to discuss the case of abducted soldiers, described the Doha talks as “excellent.”

“The cabinet is carrying out its tasks regarding the case,” the minister told Asharq al-Awsat, expressing surprise over the skepticism campaign launched against it.

He noted that the army has the needed political support, urging media outlets to end assumption and false reports regarding the case to facilitate negotiations with gunmen.

Gunmen from ISIL and al-Nusra Front are reportedly demanding the release of Islamist inmates held at Roumieh prison, however, Mashnouq said that the delay in trials is caused by several reasons.

“The trials are put on the front burner,” the Mustaqbal official said, expecting that they would end in six months.

There are hundreds of Islamist inmates in Roumieh prison awaiting their trials. They were reportedly involved in terrorist acts, including planning suicide attacks, belonging to terrorist groups and other charges.

Around 90 Islamists have been tried. They were arrested over their involvement in bloody clashes with the Lebanese army at the northern refugee camp of Nahr al-Bared in 2007.

Asked about calls by some parties to cooperate with the Syrian regime to combat extremist gunmen, Mashnouq said that “the allies of Syria are calling for such action.”

“We completely reject any cooperation with the regime.”

Concerning the thorny parliamentary elections, Mashnouq stressed that the cabinet assumed its responsibilities in this regard.

However, the Minister expressed doubts that the polls would see the light.

He pointed out that his party might not run in the elections.

A total of 162 candidates have so far submitted their nominations for the polls as the deadline for the submissions looms on midnight on Tuesday.

Several officials have expressed their doubts that the elections will be held given the ongoing disputes over an electoral law, the vacuum in the presidency, and the tense security situation.

Last year, the rival MPs extended their tenure until November 2014 after they failed to agree on a new electoral draft-law.

H.K.

G.K.

Comments 6
Missing coolmec 15 September 2014, 09:05

Fine The Syrians should pack and move their camps inside Syrian territory and good riddance

Thumb _mowaten_ 15 September 2014, 09:25

"He estimated the number of gunmen to be 2,000, pointing out that they are well-armed and have advanced weapons."

Oh but wait, they have advanced weapons but no "milk and blankets" to go through winter? What has Oqab Saqr been doing then? When I saw his speech insulting everyone and squealing like a cornered mouse, I could swear he has singlehandedly disarmed rebels and given them bottle-feeders and hot water bottles instead of guns.

Thumb EagleDawn 15 September 2014, 09:33

don't you think you've played this record one time too many? I guess not

Thumb _mowaten_ 15 September 2014, 10:27

hahahahahaha FT (Y)

Missing coolmec 15 September 2014, 10:43

As you said better late than never. Also I need to tell you I am neither M8 nor M14 I am pro Lebanon period. As a matter of fact I blame both M8 and M14 for Lebanon's gradual demise as I view all our politicians as inept, corrupt and thieves

Missing helicopter 16 September 2014, 05:18

3 years ago FPM and HA ruled the country (they had the Cabinet all for themselves). Why did they not implement FPM's opinion? Opinions without will to execute are meaningless. I am with coolmec, being Lebanese is above loyalty to any camp/sect or politician.