Suleiman Tells Security Chiefs they Have Full Political Protection in Restoring Order

The cabinet summoned the chiefs of security agencies to Baabda Palace on Monday to discuss the several security events which violated the one-month security plan launched earlier in the day and the overall situation in the country.

The government summoned Army Chief General Jean Qahwaji, Internal Security Forces chief Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi and General Security chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim. The meeting was also attended by State Security chief Maj. Gen. George Qaraa and State Prosecutor Saeed Mirza.

During the session, President Michel Suleiman told the security chiefs: “You have full political protection from me and from the cabinet and the national dialogue committee that includes all parties.”

He added: “I ask you to strictly control the security and to issue arrest warrants and arrest violators immediately.”

Suleiman urged the security chiefs to ignore any political pressure, pointing out that “from now on, it is prohibited to block the airport road.”

The cabinet also approved signing a contract with a Turkish firm to lease two power-generating ships in a bid to ease the electricity crisis in the country.

The conferees discussed an agenda of 74 items, in addition to other urgent issues.

Suleiman briefed the ministers on the results of the national dialogue, as well as his visits to Bahrain.

Interior Minister Marwan Charbel earlier on Wednesday launched a one-month security plan aimed at restoring stability in Lebanon.

Speaking to reporters in al-Musharrafieh area in Beirut’s southern suburbs, Charbel reassured that the security situation would be “excellent” during the one-month plan.

“We hope that the one-month security plan will be implemented throughout the year,” he added.

In addition to the Bourj al-Barajneh clash, the first day of the security plan was marred by the blocking of the airport highway and attempts to cut other roads in the capital in protest at the arrest of Wissam Alaeddine, a member of the group that attacked al-Jadeed television’s building on Monday.

The day also witnessed rioting inside a Justice Palace courtroom in Baabda during the trials of 14 suspects transferred from the Roumieh prison. The National News Agency said suspects G. Zoaiter and A. Younis started the riot and the rest of the suspects joined them.

Meanwhile, a personal dispute between members of the families of Jaafar and Dirani and Palestinian elements erupted into gunfire on Wednesday in the Beirut southern suburb of Bourj al-Barajneh, NNA reported.

The incident did not cause any casualties, the agency added.

LBC and al-Manar TV networks reported that the clash broke out inside the Bourj al-Barajneh Palestinian refugee camp.

But MTV said the incident took place near the aforementioned camp.