BEIRUT: Army reservists could be tasked with implementing internal law and order, freeing up professional soldiers to man the borders with Syria and Israel, an initiative launched Tuesday by former President Michel Sleiman suggests.
Sleiman, also a former Army commander, announced the initiative aimed at “preventing people from taking security into their hands,” after a meeting with Defense Minister Samir Moqbel.
“We ask the minister of defense and the Army command to take quick necessary measures under government supervision to summon needed Army reservists of all ranks - volunteers and those who have completed mandatory military service - and entrust them with the task of maintaining calm and security inside the cities and towns,” Sleiman said.
The move would enable overstretched professional Army units to concentrate their efforts on combating terrorism and tightening control on Lebanon’s borders with Syria and Israel he said.
Sleiman reiterated his call on all political factions to abide by the “Baabda Declaration” which he had initiated while still in office, and which called for disassociating Lebanon from the raging conflict in Syria.
“We call on the various factions to take the courageous decision to implement the Baabda Declaration, especially with regard to neutralizing Lebanon and distancing it from regional conflicts,” Sleiman said.
He said safeguarding Lebanon from the upheavals next door entailed tightening control of the Syrian-Lebanese border to curb the smuggling of arms and gunmen, and prevent the use of border areas as launching grounds for militant attacks.
Sleiman urged the international community to provide unimpeded and quick support for the government and the military institution in their bid to fight terrorism, and facilitate procedures for delivery of arms and ammunition.
No successor to the former president has been elected so far. Persisting political divisions over a consensus candidate have kept the highest post in the state vacant, following the expiry of Sleiman’s six-year-term on May 25.
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