Security plan in south Lebanon

Given the fragile security situation in Lebanon, a security plan has been put in place in south Lebanon for the holiday season, to be implemented across the region, a security source told The Daily Star.

The Lebanese Army has put the final touches on the plan, which will involve implementing tough and exceptional security measures around holy sites and the main roads leading to them, as well as shopping malls, public institutions and touristic spots, the source said.

The aim of the plan was to reassure citizens and ensure their safety in public places, the source said, adding that it would entail boosting the number of security officers, assigning patrols and holding both fixed and movable checkpoints.

Surveillance will also be installed around churches and monasteries in south Lebanon before Christmas and after.

Lebanese Army and security forces in the south are preparing to execute a wide security plan that will encompass southern cities, including Sidon, the source said.

Temporary checkpoints will be erected to protect places of worship in Sidon, Nabatieh, Tyre, Bint Jbeil and Marjayoun, as well as commercial institutions. Army units will patrol churches and other places of worship Christmas morning.

The security plan also includes patrols around pubs and nightclubs, to both protect citizens and to preserve calm in Sidon and the south.

These measures are a product of decisions made by subsidiary security councils in Sidon and Nabatieh, in coordination with the regional directorate of the Internal Security Forces and the Intelligence Branch in south Lebanon.

The security plan is meant to be preventive and proactive, its precautionary measures aim at preserving stability and preventing terrorist groups, who might consider the holidays as the right moment to strike, from launching attacks, the source said.

The measures will not exclude the areas surrounding the Palestinian refugee camps of Sidon, especially the entrances to Ain al-Hilweh camp where the Army has bolstered efforts to inspect those who enter and leave the camp, the source said.

Security forces are being more cautious around the camps, particularly after clashes between certain Palestinian factions, and in light of skirmishes between the ISF’s Intelligence Branch and members of the Hezbollah-affiliated Resistance Brigades during which grenades and other weapons were used.