Prime Minister Najib Miqati said on Tuesday that the Lebanese government was keen to distance the country from the Syrian crisis, stressing the authorities would not allow the arms smuggling along the border.

Prime Minister Najib Miqati said on Tuesday that the Lebanese government was keen to distance the country from the Syrian crisis, stressing the authorities would not allow the arms smuggling along the border.

Miqati also said that the national security institutions are the backbone for “the strong and capable state,” adding there “is a need to morally and financially support the army seeing as it guarantees civil peace and embodies national unity.”

After holding talks at the Defense Ministry with Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji and Minister Fayez Ghosn, Miqati said: “The army is keen on ensuring the security of the people without discrimination and it does so in line with commands by the political leadership.”

“We will not allow Lebanese territory to serve as an open ground for arms smugglers, for the formation of a buffer zone with Syria, or harboring terrorists,” stressed Miqati.

He also emphasized the need for preserving national unity, noting “the army’s wisdom in the past few weeks that prevented the escalation of tensions in Lebanon into strife.”

In addition, he said it was important to hold national dialogue, “which will remain the main means for reaching consensus among the Lebanese.”
“Everyone is obligated to facilitate the continuation of the talks because violence will be its alternative,” said Miqati.