Mansour Shrugs off Criticism, Says Syrian Gunfire on North not Premeditated
Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour shrugged off criticism over Lebanon’s failure to file a complaint with the U.N. on the latest deaths of Lebanese in a cross-border attack in the northern area of Wadi Khaled, saying the Syrian shelling was not intentional.
In remarks to al-Joumhouria daily published Monday and Tele Liban the day before, Mansour expressed regret at the death of two Lebanese in the shelling that took place over the weekend but said “such clashes do take place on the border of any country due to unintentional mistakes.”
“We will continue our contacts through diplomatic channels to avoid such mistakes in the future although the Syrians don’t want them to take place,” he said.
Heavy shelling from the Syrian side of the border on towns in the Wadi Khaled area during clashes between Syrian government troops and rebels, left two Lebanese dead and stirred panic among residents and criticism that the government was staying mum on the issue.
“Had it been premeditated, we would have taken a different approach,” Mansour said.
But a government source expressed regret at his remarks, telling An Nahar newspaper that the government will take the necessary measures to preserve the safety of the Lebanese on the border with Syria in the North and East.
Mansour also justified a Lebanese complaint to the U.N. Security Council on Israel’s abduction of a shepherd ten days ago, by saying “the Jewish state is Lebanon’s historic enemy and carried out an aforethought attack.”
“The latest aggression comes as part of a series of continued attacks committed (by Israel) since the adoption of (Security Council) resolution 1701 (in 2006), and which have reached so far 9,000 violations,” Mansour said.
Israeli soldiers detained the young Lebanese shepherd for one day in a disputed area on the border between the two countries.
09 July 2012, 11:00
010
“such clashes do take place on the border of any country due to unintentional mistakes.”
WTF...Is he for real?!!!....
not even worthy of being called Lebanese let alone Lebanese Foreign Minister...
09 July 2012, 11:08
07
“such clashes do take place on the border of any country due to unintentional mistakes.”
WTF...Is he for real?!!!....
not even worthy of being called Lebanese let alone Lebanese Foreign Minister...
09 July 2012, 11:19
08
Haha, the shooting was not intentional? We're not talking about a stray bullet or rocket here. We're talking about actual bombardment. In any case, let's go with his story. What about the kidnapping a few weeks ago? Surely, the syrians walked into lebanese territory, kidnaped lebanese citizens and took them to Syria by accident without intending to do so... What about the killing of the New TV camera man..? The list goes on.
This minister is a hypocrit who puts the benefit of Syria before Lebanon. His stances have surpassed alliances and political maneuvers and have become outright treason.
09 July 2012, 11:22
08
this douchebag needs to go under fire for saying what he said.. a mistake? so what exactly.. a syrian soldier mistakenly was playing around with his other boyfriends and playing 'shell tag' and accidentally fired into lebanon?
that kind of mistake?
09 July 2012, 11:45
08
“such clashes do take place on the border of any country due to unintentional mistakes.”
would you say the same BS if israel does the same? stupid collaborator!
lebanese citizens were killed! they are not even worth your consideration? or for you they are second class citizens?
09 July 2012, 11:56
07
Mansour reports to Ali Akbar Salehi who is in charge of the Iranian Foreign Affairs. This is a fact. On the other hand, and unfortunately, the worst Minister of FA Lebanon ever had. A shame to our country being represented abroad by such a clown.
Gone are the days of Fares Bouez and Jean Obeid.
09 July 2012, 12:15
08
This man should be put to trial for, at least, gross negligence and failure to implement Duty of Care towards the public.
I know, I know this is wishful thinking in a hezbollah-controlled banana republic like ours.
09 July 2012, 14:21
07
What a tool--he wouldn't criticize Syria even if his own family were killed. We don't need these types of people representing the LEBANESE (not Syrian or Iranian) people.
09 July 2012, 14:22
06
What a tool--he wouldn't criticize Syria even if his own family were killed. We don't need these types of people representing the LEBANESE (not Syrian or Iranian) people.
09 July 2012, 15:38
27
still no M8 bootlickers to comment this issue...lebanese are killed by a foreign army, lebanon is shelled on a daily basis by a foreign country, but no words from those who claim to be patriots! LOL!
they cannot even assume their opinions and allegiances, cowards.
09 July 2012, 16:51
06
Is this Syrian boot licker for real? If this scumbag had his way Lebanon will be annexed by Syria, if anyone needed an explanation about what's wrong with Lebanon, this bum is a prime example.
09 July 2012, 17:17
01
where is FT????
where are the M8 readers who keep commenting?
LOL
this is one is tough to justify isnt it? but i'd rather u shut up than come up with a crazy excuse or justification :)
09 July 2012, 17:19
01
Why is this guy still around? What doesn't Mikati do something about him?
The Parliament? The president? Mansour is a disgrace. He could not be more conspicuous!
09 July 2012, 17:36
06
Congratulations Adnane. Your comments are officially voted as stupidest in naharnet for 2012. How can you bend sooo low in front of syrians?
09 July 2012, 17:44
04
I agree with you on one point. SSNP, Jibril, baath, and all those parasites feeding off lebanese blood should be banned in Lebanon. These viruses have been planted by the syrian regime to control Lebanon. They represent no Lebanese cause. You can like or dislike Hezbollah, one can argue that HA represents some Lebanese. However those thugs SSNP&co whose sole purpose is to serve syrian intelligence should be outlawed outright.
