Charbel: Syrian Rebels Train in Lebanon

Local Editor

Lebanese Interior Minister Marwan Charbel revealed Friday the existence of camps to train armed Syrian opposition insurgents in one of the remote Lebanese regions.

In an interview with as-Safir Lebanese daily, Charbel expressed concern that the Syrian conflict might move into Lebanon, if both it is longed in Syria or stopped; "especially that the internal arena is stuffed with all inflammable materials, that might explode at any time."

On another level, Charbel stressed the importance of the human dimension in the case of displaced Syrians.However, he pointed out that this file involves complexities and risks, that mustn't be neglected.
 
He further urged the Arab countries, concerned of the Syrian crisis, to be partners in insuring the refugees' requirements. "They must shoulder their responsibilities in this area, and the Arab League Council must convene quickly to take the appropriate decisions," Charbel said.

In parallel, the minister stressed that "it is not enough to support Lebanon with a limited fund in time and amount, because the refugees' existence in Lebanon might be long."
"If the number of displaced reached the million threshold, how will the Lebanese government act, especially that there are no guarantees concerning the consistency and persistence of funding?" he wondered.

On the electoral file, Charbel stated that "he is ready to run to the presidency and carry its responsibility if he had been asked to, based on a national consensus."
"However, to be consensus president neither means to be without taste or color, nor to be divided as shares between internal and regional sides," he concluded.


Source: as-Safir daily, Translated and Edited by moqawama.org