Security Forces Tasked with Protection of Several Phalange, LF MPs Withdrawn

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The security forces tasked with protecting Phalange Party MP Nadim Gemayel were withdrawn, the state-run National News Agency reported on Thursday.

"The Central Security Council informed Gemayel the removal of the security entourage tasked with protecting him,” the NNA said.

Gemayel released a statement later, holding the caretaker minister of interior responsible “for his personal safety.”

"A notice like this implies that (caretaker Interior Minister) Marwan Charbel is the person in charge of the lawmakers' security and protection,” he said, pointing out to the current “chaotic security situation in the country when assassinations and explosions have resumed.”

Meanwhile, Voice of Lebanon radio (100.5) confirmed on Thursday that Phalange bloc MP Sami Gemayel was also informed by the council the withdrawal of all security forces tasked with his protection.

“The Lebanese Forces bloc received word that the security forces tasked with protecting its MPs have been withdrawn,” it added.

MTV later noted that Phalange lawmaker Elie Marouni and Lebanese Forces MP Antoine Zahra's bodyguards were also withdrawn.

“The decision to withdraw the security forces encompasses all MPs and we question the timing of this call at the time of political assassinations,” Zahra said.

Earlier on Thursday, al-Mustaqbal MP Ahmed Fatfat expressed that he holds “all concerned authorities responsible for any assault against him,” after he had received the same notice.

But after contacting Charbel, Fatfat announced that the forces will resume their work, explaining that this is due to the sensitive "position he represents and the security dangers he may be exposed to for being a former interior minister."

The interior ministry elaborated Thursday afternoon, saying that the Central Security Council “only withdrew the extra security forces tasked with protecting the lawmakers.”

"The Central Security Council in its last meeting decided to withdraw the additional bodyguards tasked with the protection of several political figures and that violate decree number 2512,” a statement released by Charbel's office said.

It explained saying that these internal security forces will “undergo training and will serve in police stations all over Lebanon.”

"The protection of figures is the responsibility of the general-directorate of the Internal Security Forces' officers.”

Charbel remarked: “Acting ISF chief Ibrahim Basbous was asked to prepare a list of figures in need of keeping this kind of protection in coordination with General Security chief Abbas Ibrahim, and a decision in this regard will be announced in the council's upcoming meeting.”

Later on Thursday, the March 14 camp condemned the Central Security Council's decision, saying that it “completely contradicts with the dangerous situation the country is passing through.”

It noted in a statement that the decision also contradicts the decision Charbel had taken himself to ensure the safety of the lawmakers.

It therefore demanded that the council retract its decision and restore the withdrawn security forces to their positions “otherwise it and the interior minister will be held responsible for any harm that may befall any March 14 MP or official.”

“Has the government taken the decision to encourage the killers and those behind the political assassinations through the Central Security Council's decision?” it wondered.

“What alternative measures has the Interior Ministry taken in order to protect the forces of democracy that do not believe in weapons as a replacement of the Lebanese state?” asked the March 14 camp.

Comments 33
Thumb just-me 18 July 2013, 17:17

It appears this applies to all MPs now.

Thumb _mowaten_ 18 July 2013, 18:25

probably because we can't afford to pay dozens of security agents for each MP

Default-user-icon Real Mowaten (Guest) 19 July 2013, 13:25

You really are an ignorant fool. Security agents are paid anyway.

They can sit idle all day and do nothing like most of them do or protect MPs...

I would rather they do their jobs and hunt down criminals, drug dealers, weapon dealers, Hezbollah members demanded for questioning. But in this case, it would mean doing their actual jobs which they are paid for.

Missing lebcan 19 July 2013, 00:23

Don't worry M8ers will be safe...

Thumb _mowaten_ 19 July 2013, 12:15

yea, they don't get eliminated by their own allies. everyone knows Hariri was most likely killed by bandar ben sultan in coordination with the US.

Default-user-icon Real Mowaten (Guest) 19 July 2013, 13:27

"Everyone knows" Hariri was killed by Bandar ?

You're not everyone mowaten and people don't believe in your fairy tales.

Hariri was killed by Hezbollah under the orders of Syria.

Why would Bandar / US kill him ? What's the motive ? THink before you puke !

Thumb _mowaten_ 19 July 2013, 13:46

Hariri was killed by Hezbollah under the orders of Syria?

people don't believe in your fairy tales, what would HA's motive be? nasrallah and hariri had excellent relations met every week and backed each other. as long as hariri was alive the sunni/shia fitna was impossible.
think before you puke :)

Default-user-icon Real Mowaten (Guest) 19 July 2013, 14:24

What is HA's motive ?

Hariri was the first politician from the OLD ESTABLISHEMENT to turn his back against Syria and lobby for Hezbollah's disarmement.

What motive you say ?

I wonder what your motives are to spread lies ... if you have no motive, then you are just plain vanilla stupid.

And yes, Hariri and Nassrallah had EXCELLENT relationship ... keep your friends close and enemies closer !

Missing helicopter 18 July 2013, 17:34

The article is not clear if it applies to all. Assassinations in the past did not apply to all (only to one camp) and hence security measures should take that into consideration. The big sharks do not need such measures as they have their own (trusted from within the sect such as Jumblat, Nasrallah, Berri, etc.) and they trust their own more than the state security anyways.

Thumb _mowaten_ 18 July 2013, 18:27

well seeing how state security has been efficient, can you blame them?
also you forgot to mention geagea who has his own security as well

Missing rudy 18 July 2013, 20:17

Lol snow-den welcome. I suggest sit back and relax. Lurking here is much more entertaining. Every once and again i feel like replying to some stupid comment then i think to myself: why am i even bothering? And i just read the next article

Thumb _mowaten_ 19 July 2013, 12:22

lurkers and naggers: many thanks for the interest you've shown for me, it's flattering but i wish the actual article/ideas/opinions expressed here by everyone had caught your interest more and that you had posted about them.

besides that think what you want, i dont care. i know many people here are paid propagandists, often posting under many usernames, with some who are clearly israelis trying to create negative feelings between lebanese.
for my part i express my own opinions when it pleases me to do so and will continue doing it.

Missing zahle_night 18 July 2013, 18:06

Big portion of the security personnel were removed from Harriri’s entourage…. Then a few months later he was blasted…

Thumb _mowaten_ 18 July 2013, 18:25

yea assassinations used to fail before, thanks to ashraf rifi high efficiency, and the 20+ cars convoy managed to protect the late hariri so effectively...

Missing beirutbastard00 18 July 2013, 19:12

But only one half of the MP's are in danger...

Thumb zahle1 18 July 2013, 20:02

This is true.

Missing lebcan 19 July 2013, 00:26

True...

Thumb Senescence 18 July 2013, 22:39

So ... can anyone tell me why they retracted this additional protection ? I can't seem to find in the article any information as to why this is the case.

Thumb lebanon_first 18 July 2013, 22:55

can they also stop the MPs' state provided maid service and their free electricity and phone service and the government supplied channel bag of their wife?

Missing yorgo. 18 July 2013, 23:38

Public money should not be used to provide extra security. The MP's should pay from their own money. They get a hefty salary,with a lot of benefits,for doing nothing.

Thumb Senescence 19 July 2013, 02:01

Yes, your post makes sense, but imagine if one or two get assassinated or killed -- would the country be better off or would it be worse?

Missing lebcan 19 July 2013, 00:20

Agreed... Order came from Iran or maybe Syria... Thats my Guess...

Missing lebcan 19 July 2013, 00:22

Its a setup... a prelude (as viper_bite said) for assassination of some M14er ...

Thumb erasmus16@gmail.com 19 July 2013, 00:33

This measure will likely encourage the proliferation of private militias, reducing the overall safety of Lebanese citizens. Brilliant thinking on the part of the ISF and the Ministry of Interior.

Thumb Senescence 19 July 2013, 01:55

Well to be fair, I suppose tightening the belt a bit seems like a good idea in light of the recent influx of refugees. I mean, I'm sure everyone agrees that national profits and expenditure should be funneled to the citizens of the country ... but I also suppose a humanitarian responsibility is upon us to care for refugees as much as we can (one can see the shortcomings of failing to do so as well).

I'm a bit saddened at the moment, we have a perfect country but fail the people in every regard, woe is us?! I want to worry about superficialities, not our country and lives.

Default-user-icon jash el ker sux (Guest) 19 July 2013, 01:37

thats what you get when you stand againts an army in any country. how dare you bag an army which protects you with its life. you dont deserve protection from an organisation such as the armed forces since you act like its your enemy

Missing beirutbastard00 19 July 2013, 03:16

If they want to save money, how about hiring competent individuals to do the job. no wasta, no bribes, just qualified, well trained people, who can each do the job of five other over-weight, under educated, family members of the guy in charge. Thank u.

Missing nuetral 19 July 2013, 08:14

If they want security first let them sit down and form a proper goverment for the Lebanese people instead of each one putting his condition.An election will be the ideal way to install a proper democratic goverment.Now the security of the Lebanese people is more important.

Thumb sophia_angle 19 July 2013, 09:27

ecole des fans

Default-user-icon Templar (Guest) 19 July 2013, 10:04

There are alot of private security companies out there that can fill in the gap and are better equiped, why not use them?

Default-user-icon Templar (Guest) 19 July 2013, 10:05

There are a lot of private security companies out there that can fill in the gap and are better equipped, why not use them?

Default-user-icon aminedal (Guest) 19 July 2013, 11:43

hal sisan shoo helwin.

Default-user-icon Malek Hanna Kadifa. (Guest) 09 March 2017, 18:15

La femme est capable de tous les exercices de l'homme sauf de faire Pipi debout contre le mur.