Gemayel Demands International Forces on Border, Warns against Spill Over of Syria's Conflict

Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel warned on Tuesday that the state of instability the neighboring Syria is going through might be reflected in chaos inside Lebanon, urging the deployment of international peacekeeping forces on the border.

"The prolongation of Syria's conflict will worsen the situation in Lebanon and the social and security conditions of refugees,” Gemayel said in a speech he gave on democracy in the Arab world at the German Marshall Fund of the United States in Washington.

He noted: “This might be translated in armed conflicts in the country”.

"Meanwhile, strengthening democracy in Syria will solidify it in Lebanon”.

“Establishing a democratic state in Syria means democracy has won. Supporting democratic forces in Lebanon on the other hand will encourage the presence of similar powers in Syria," he elaborated.

The former president also called on the international community to support the deployment of peacekeeping forces on the border with Syria.

Discussing the region's revolutions, Gemayel expressed that the “Arab awakening was one of the most significant developments of the 21st century”.

He warned, however: “If the institutions collapsed in Syria without a prevailing ruling authority, chaos, terrorism and instability will characterize the situation there”.

"We fear the exportation of these conditions into neighboring countries such as Jordan. Gulf countries might also be vulnerable.”

Gemayel also tackled the issue of refugees fleeing Syria, urging the international community to provide urgent support to Lebanon.

In February, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said revealed that at least 305,753 refugees have fled the warn-torn neighboring country and came to Lebanon since the start of the conflict in Syria.

U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres had said earlier this year that the number of people fleeing fighting in Syria could reach 1.1 million by June.