Kataeb Voices Concern over 'Sovereignty' after Syrian Rebels Evacuated via Lebanon
The Kataeb Party on Monday wondered if the Lebanese government was aware of a U.N.-sponsored deal that involved the evacuation of Syrian rebels and wounded to Turkey via Lebanon.
“The party calls on the Lebanese government and premier to put the public opinion in the picture of the latest security and political developments,” it said in a statement.
“Was the Lebanese state part of this agreement or was it imposed on it?” Kataeb wondered.
“Why didn't the Lebanese government convene to take the right decision? Where is sovereignty when gunmen cross the border from Syria and head to Beirut's airport? Which passports did they use? Where is the dissociation policy?” the party asked.
More than 120 rebels and wounded from the flashpoint Syrian border town of Zabadani traveled Monday from Beirut's airport to Turkey. A convoy carrying them had earlier in the day crossed from Syria into Lebanon through the Masnaa border crossing.
The convoy consisted of seven buses and 22 ambulances and was accompanied by Lebanese security forces.
Simultaneously, two planes took off from Turkey's Hatay airport to Beirut, carrying 335 people evacuated from the mainly Shiite Syrian villages of Fuaa and Kafraya.
“The Kataeb Party wonders if the Lebanese government was aware of this day of transit,” the party said.
It also warned that the government's failure to convene “exposes the country's security and allows some officials to take unilateral, unconstitutional decisions.”
Syrian forces and Hizbullah had launched an offensive to try to recapture Zabadani in July, prompting a rebel alliance -- including members of al-Qaida-linked al-Nusra Front -- to besiege the Idlib villages of Fuaa and Kafraya.
Hizbullah has sent thousands of fighters across the border to support Syrian President Bashar Assad's forces against the Islamist-led militants fighting to topple him.
Y.R.
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