Security Coordination with Syria Is Dangerous
March 14 General Coordinator Fares Soueid said the majority does not “oppose any coordination with Syria provided it’s done within the framework that safeguards the independence and sovereignty of Lebanon.”
After meeting Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea in Maarab on Thursday, Soueid said, “We consider setting up security coordination committees dangerous at this stage. So the coordination between the two countries must be restricted to cabinets’ level.”
“There many official channels, apart from the Lebanese –Syrian Higher council, to coordinate the stance or act on pending issues between the two countries, such as the demarcation of the borders and the missing and detained Lebanese in the Syrian prisoners,” Soueid said.
Soueid added that Syrian ministers would be invited to Beirut, in turn, “to follow up on the pending issues between the two countries… for the coordination to be complete.”
He dismissed reports that the March 14 alliance has reservations regarding Interior Minister Ziad Baroud’s visit to Damascus.
“Minister Baroud has fulfilled his obligations and referred a proposal to the cabinet,” Soueid said, “We have been discussing this [proposal] but we don’t denounce his visit or discuss it.”
“We are aware of the political background of Minister Baroud,” Soueid continued, adding that “the essential point is in the form of the joint coordination between the two countries which must guarantee the Lebanese sovereignty and independence and prevent any political or security Syrian comeback.”