Charbel: Security Measures Have Been Taken to Protect Diplomatic Missions in Lebanon

Caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel denied that some embassies in Lebanon had received security threats, reported the Kuwaiti Al-Seyassah on Sunday.

He told the daily: “We do not fear for the safety of diplomatic missions because security measures have been taken to protect them.”

He revealed that he had held talks with French Ambassador to Lebanon Patrice Paoli and informed him that there are no fears over his country's interests in Lebanon.

Moreover, he made light of the United States' decision to evacuate non-essential staff and family members, saying that their “presence at the embassy at the moment is not justified.”

Charbel added that there are no fears that Lebanon will be affected by a possible military strike against Syria over its regime's alleged chemical attack on August 21.

The American embassy in Beirut said Friday that its non-essential staff and family members are being evacuated from Lebanon because of "threats to U.S. mission facilities and personnel."

But Lebanese authorities said they had boosted security measures at foreign diplomatic missions ahead of any international military action against Syria.

The Department of State also urged U.S. citizens to avoid all travel to Lebanon “because of current safety and security concerns,” noting that “U.S. citizens living and working in Lebanon should understand that they accept risks in remaining and should carefully consider those risks.”

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry stated on Saturday however that his country is not paving the way to evacuate all its employees from Beirut ahead of the possible U.S.-led military strike against Syria.

He explained that the number of American employees has been reduced “for security reasons.”