Minister Charbel: Lebanese “extremely” involved in Crisis in Syria

                
Interior Minister Marwan Charbel stressed on Sunday that the Lebanese are “extremely involved” in the crisis taking place in Syria despite the government’s self-distancing policy.                  

Charbel noted that he didn’t receive any reports saying that Hezbollah is involved in clashes in the Syrian town of al-Qussair.       

The minister expressed concerns over the outcome of the Syrian conflict on stability in Lebanon                    
Charbel said that the situation in Syria has an impact on Lebanon's economy and security situation because of the fusion between the people of the two countries.                

Asked about Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour's statements over Syria at the Arab Foreign Ministers meeting, Charbel said that the FM intended to call on the Syrians to start dialogue to end the strife.                   
Mansour had called in his speech for canceling a decision to suspend the membership of Syria from the Arab League.                 

Concerning the case of former Minister Michel Samaha, the Interior Minister said that investigations will reveal the identities of those involved in the case, stressing that the judiciary should carry out its duties without any intervention.                   

The Military Tribunal issued in February an indictment against Samaha and a Syrian official on suspicion of planning to carry out terrorist attacks in Lebanon.                

They may face the death penalty if convicted.                           

As for Charbel's proposal on the parliament to convene to put a defense strategy to avoid Lebanon division, the minister said that there are 18 sects in Lebanon that are allowed to have different points of view regarding politics, however, he said that the spread of arms is “unacceptable.”