LA Firm in Restoring Security, Berri: Aoun Oppressed
The Lebanese weekend didn't pass calmly. The sounds of shells and bullets pierced the security walls and the political alleys.
As the Northern Lebanese capital, Tripoli, was burning Sunday, questions were raised on the sides behind the tension.
Who wanted to turn the political attack against the Lebanese Army (LA) into an armed one?
Where is the source of the weapon that turned Tripoli into a battle field? Aren't these weapons a major threat against the country's stability?
Who is the side that wanted to send both political and security messages ahead of the electoral Lebanese poll and in synchronization with the escalation of suicide bombings in Syria? Why did this tension appear after the LA confiscated weapons heading to Syrian opposition from the region?
The rosary of questions is so long while the answers are clear. But who is ready to declare the reality?
Tripoli Exploded
On Sunday, four people, including a Lebanese Army soldier, were killed and at least 25 injured, most of whom are civilians in a gunfight which armed extremist groups linked to the Future Movement launched against the LA
This came as the Lebanese General Security Department arrested Saturday the suspect Shadi al-Mawlawi for contacting a terrorist organization.
Al-Mawlawi's arrest was used as a pretext to extremist cells covered by the Future Movement to block the northern and southern roads into Tripoli and start a gunfire against both the Lebanese Army and civilians.
"The opposition led by the Future Movement had a limited role but to seize opportunities and occasions to target Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, without producing any real initiative to contribute to Tripoli's security," "as-Safir" Lebanese newspaper said.
Security sources stressed to the daily that the situation is more dangerous than what might be imagined.
"There shouldn't be a political investment in a serious issue like the one that the Lebanese General Security Department dealt with, not only in the case of al-Mawlawi's arrest but also in the general security situation," the sources stressed.
"As-Safir" security sources further warned that " later investigations will reveal what was planned to Tripoli and the North."
"The security forces will not stop on political bidding," the security sources said, pointing out that "they will contain their work until the facts are clarified and all people assume their responsibilities."
Similarly, the General Security Department sources confirmed to "an-Nahar" that "the department didn't unveil its narration to al-Mawlawi's arrest, and it will wait for the right time to unveil the hidden facts."
"The General Security Department is the responsible authority that performs its duties under the supervision of the relevant judicial authority," the source stressed.
"An-Nahar" source also responded to Finance Minister Mohammad Safadi's accusations to the Department by saying: "we daily perform our duties in arresting suspects in the airport, on the land, sea borders or on various Lebanese territories."
Safadi announced that he would file a lawsuit against the General Security over the way al-Mawlawi was detained from his office.
Meanwhile, the LA deployed Sunday evening three units in Tripoli evening in an attempt to end the clashes.
Political Cover for LA
In light of the clashes, the Higher Defense Council convened an emergency session
under President Michel Suleiman, highlighting its keenness to protect civil peace.
"The council discussed the security situation in the country in general and in the city of Tripoli in particular," the council said after its meeting in Baabda Palace.
"The council praised the role played by security bodies to restore security, arrest [members of] terrorist networks ... and prevent arms smuggling from all Lebanese areas," the statement added.
The council gave instructions to the Army and security bodies and distributed tasks to relevant ministries and bodies.
After the session, Interior Minister Marwan Charbel told reporters that all those involved in the armed clashes would be arrested.
"All those sabotaging security in Tripoli will be arrested, along with everyone who opened gunfire or carried arms. We have a list of their names," he said.
Similarly, an official source told "as-Safir" that in relation to the events of Tripoli, the council was firm that the state extends its power.
"Instructions were explicit to the LA to arrest militants involved in the events and to bring them to the relevant judicial authority," the source highlighted, mentioning that "there is no political cover for anyone."
In this context, PM Mikati accused "some people of trying to say that the LA is against the Islamic forces in the city."
"The facts contradict with this view and the evidence is that the LA did not intervene to break up the sit-in on Saturday," Mikati said, adding that " the LA only intervened when the clashes expanded and other forces interfered."
Extra-Spending...
On the political issues, the Council of Ministers will convene Wednesday and on top of its agenda is the extra governmental spending.
Ministerial sources informed "al-Binaa" daily that "intensive contacts are being held to reach a convincing formula about the Finance Minister proposal."
"House Speaker Nabih Berri is likely to play a role in this context within the next few hours to develop a formula or ideas that might contribute to the solution," the daily added.
For his part, Berri expressed displeasure with President Michel Suleiman for not ending the dispute by signing the spending bill.
"The president's role is based on interfering when necessary to resolve the disputes," Berri viewed.
On the government's performance, Berri stated to "as-Safir" that he won't call the government to resign because there is no better choice or other substitute for it.
However, Berri urged the incentive government to act responsibly and to boost its productivity.
"It isn't acceptable for it to go on in this caretaking manner," the Speaker said, pointing out that the Head of the Change and Reform Bloc MP Michel Aoun has rightful demands that aren't being answered."
He described Aoun as "oppressed especially that he did what he can to facilitate the ministerial performance."
Berri also informed "as-Safir" that "he had contacted the PM and told him that he will not cooperate with the government until it changes its approach in dealing with different controversial issues."
Source: Lebanese newspapers, Translated and Edited by moqawama.org
