REPORT: Caretaker Minister of Defense Ghosn says Lebanese army is carrying out its duties in Tripoli

Caretaker Minister of Defense Fayez Ghosn asserted on Thursday that the army deployment in the northern city of Tripoli "does not mean that a state of emergency is declared in the city."

Ghosn's remarks were made during an interview with LBCI  during which he noted that the Lebanese army is assuming its national responsibilities to preserve Lebanon's security.

He also stressed that a security meeting was held in the Baabda Palace in order to organize the duties of the security apparatuses deployed in the northern city.

On another note, Ghosn called on all Lebanese leaders to deploy all possible efforts to ensure the safety of the religious minorities and religious sites in Syria.

The al-Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front took nuns of the Greek Orthodox Mar Takla convent in the ancient Christian village of Maaloula as part of a broader battle to control the rugged Qalamoun area north of Damascus.

The area controls the smuggling routes from nearby Lebanon that sustain rebel-held enclaves, as well as a highway leading from Damascus to the central city of Homs.
Pope Francis called on Wednesday for prayers for the 12 Orthodox nuns to release them.
 


To watch Raneem Bou Khzam's report, please click on the video above.