Beirut must shield Lebanese civilians on Syria border towns: Analsyt

A political analyst tells Press TV that the government and the President of Lebanon should provide help and security to the Lebanese people who have been exposed to the fighting in Syria.

The comments came after Lebanese President Michel Sleiman said authorities must not allow the flow of weapons and militants into Syria through Lebanon’s border. On Wednesday, Sleiman called on different Lebanese political parties to take measures against the shipment of arms and militants into Syria and the establishment of training bases for the militants in Lebanon. The Lebanese president also reiterated that Beirut was committed to the policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of Syria, as well as strengthening its own national unity.

Press TV has conducted an interview with Kamel Wazne, Middle East expert, to further discuss the issue. What follows is an approximate transcription of the interview.

Press TV: How do you view Michel Sleiman’s comments, and also tell us how much importance does Beirut have in preventing a spillover both outside in and inside out?

Wazne: I think it is too late because the Lebanese have been under attack from the Syrian opposition. There are a lot of towns in the Northern part of Lebanon, in Bekaa, areas have been under attack from the opposition.

So far we had a lot of casualties from those civilians been bombarded by the Free Syrian Army and we know that in Tripoli and other areas of Waqar, those have been a hub for extremists who actually have been sending weapons to help the opposition in Syria.

I think for a year and a half everybody knows that there is a large number of these extremists walking in their arms, been training and sending weapons to Syria, even the Lebanese intelligence has documentation to that fact. The fact is now the President is speaking.

I think we should speak about all these civilians who have been bombarded in the Hermel area, those twenty towns which is actually inhabited by Lebanese for some reason, they are actually in the border of Lebanon and Syria, been attacked by the opposition and so far we haven’t seen the government taking responsibility in protecting these innocent people.

The Syrian opposition and the extremist elements have been actually bombing these areas and causing some havoc on the civilians. There were cases of rape and torture and I think the government should send its army to defend these towns to start with.

Press TV: Mr. Wazne, do you think that with his comments Michel Sleiman might also be reaching out to other neighboring countries of Syria such as Jordan and Turkey, urging a policy of non-interference for them too?

Wazne: Well I do not think this is the case. I think the case now probably there is a lot of talk that maybe they think that Hezbollah is entering the confrontation in Syria which is not true.

I think the point is there is a lot of Lebanese reached the point where they have to defend themselves and that is what is taking place. I think the signal is to these Lebanese which really needed help and needed protection from the government for very long time and haven’t found that protection.

Now they are actually protecting themselves and actually defending their homes and their honors and I think if anything the government of Lebanon especially the President should come to help these towns and these areas.

There are over twenty towns and there are thirty five thousand people live in these towns, those are exposed to the fighting in Syria and they are Lebanese and the government and the President of Lebanon should provide the help and the security to these people.