All parties responsible for security
Interior Minister Ziyad Baroud urged all factions to "shoulder their responsibilities" in preserving Lebanon”s security. "Unlike politics in Lebanon, security is not consensual and should not be influenced by the moods of political parties," Baroud told MTV station during a lengthy interview on Tuesday night.
Baroud also hailed the efforts of the Internal Security Forces in dealing with recent security incidents.
In late June, clashes between the Amal and Future Movements in the Beirut neighborhood of Aisha Bakkar killed one woman bystander and wounded 11 people. The clashes were touched off by celebratory gunfire following the selection of Saad Hariri as prime minister and Nabih Berri as speaker.
Lebanon”s Central Interior Security Council held a meeting headed by Baroud on Tuesday to agree on a comprehensive security plan to ensure stability during the 2009 tourist season.
The meeting addressed the security lapse in Aisha Bakkar. Celebratory gunfire was heavily condemned by the Security Council, which vowed to prosecute offenders.
If celebratory gunfire continued perpetrators would be arrested and dealt with by the judiciary, the Council said.
All those who instigated – or participated in – the incident in Aisha Bakar would be brought to justice, the Council said.
Tackling other security-related issues during his interview on Tuesday, Baroud said the clause related to controlling border activities mentioned in UN Security Council Resolution 1701 cannot be implemented if Syria does not cooperate with Lebanon on the matter. The resolution put an end to the 34-day summer 2006 war with Israel.
"Protecting the common borders is crucial for both states, and Damascus expressed willingness to cooperate, and we are waiting for its promises to materialize," he said.
As for reports of Syria smuggling arms to Hizbullah across the border, he said "it is up to the UN to comment on this in its reports, but until now, this issue has not been clearly discussed."
Commenting on the recent debate over the formation of the next government, the interior minister said the concept of "consensus democracy" did not "necessarily mean unanimity."
He added that the interim Cabinet”s overall performance has been "more of a success than a failure."
Baroud said Prime Minister-designate Hariri should take into consideration the experience of the incumbent Cabinet during his consultations to form a new one. "The worst thing is for the new cabinet to be formed under international influence," he stressed.
He said Lebanon could face a crisis with the cabinet formation if one party decides not to take part in the national unity government, "since that might lead to a domino effect and would render the new cabinet weak."
"However," Baroud added, "luckily no group has voiced such stance yet."
He said other obstacles might arise when talks on the distribution of cabinet portfolios begin.
Concerning challenges to the June 7 parliamentary elections results, Baroud said that while some appeals have "a legitimate grounds," most challenges are used to send "political messages."