BEIRUT: A security plan for Beirut's southern suburbs, which are dominated by Hezbollah, will be launched during the coming two weeks, two newspapers reported Saturday.
“The plan has not been finalized or fully examined, but the lack of objections from any side to its implementation can be seen as a sign to go through with it,” Al-Akhbar quoted security sources as saying. “The estimations say we will not delay it for more than 15 days.”
Al-Mustaqbal also reported that the plan will be implemented within two weeks without elaborating.
According to the sources cited by Al-Akhbar, the security plan was discussed in the ongoing dialogue between the Future Movement and Hezbollah.
“The plan’s nature is different from the one that was implemented in Bekaa, because in the southern suburbs there are no dangerous fugitives from any side,” the sources said.
“The plan, which will be implemented by the Lebanese Army and [the Internal Security Forces], will not require coordination with [Hezbollah],” he added, saying the party would not intervene unless a problem necessitates it.
A report earlier this week said that Hezbollah had urged the authorities to stop the spread of weapons in the area, after a number of armed clashes between rival clans took place.
Interior Minister Nouhad Machnouk reportedly informed Beirut lawmakers who visited him Wednesday that his ministry has begun examining the logistics to put the southern suburbs’ security plan into action.
Last month, a joint operation between security agencies was carried out in the northern Bekaa region. The crack down led to the arrest of dozens, mostly for minor charges, and the confiscation of drugs, weapons and stolen vehicles.
Security forces deployed for the first time in the southern suburbs in September 2013 as part of a plan to replace checkpoints set up by Hezbollah following a series of deadly bombings that targeted the mostly-Shiite area.
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