Berri Meets Asarta: Political Vacuum Paving Way for Security Violations

Speaker Nabih Berri lamented that the attack on a peacekeeping patrol on Friday came due to a political vacuum.

“The attack that targeted international troops in Rmeileh is very dangerous and should push us towards speeding up the formation of the cabinet because the vacuum is paving way for security violations,” Berri told As Safir newspaper published Monday.

The vacuum has also bad repercussions at the economic and political levels amid the absence of a governmental authority that is capable of following up events in the country, he said.

“This loss” has prevented authorities from pointing the finger of accusation at any side, Berri added.

The speaker held talks on Monday with United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon Commander Major General Alberto Asarta, who thanked the Lebanese authorities for their strong statements of support for UNIFIL and condemnation of Friday’s attack against the peacekeepers.

The UNIFIL commander also held separate meetings with President Michel Suleiman and Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji.

He expressed his deepest appreciation for the strong solidarity and support of the Lebanese army following the attack and the care extended to the six injured peacekeepers by the medical team at the Hammoud Hospital in Saida.

Asarta reassured the officials that the international force will stay the course, stressing the importance of completing the investigation with utmost urgency.

He said: “We had very good meetings. I was heartened by the strong voices of support reiterated by the leaders and a common resolve to bring the perpetrators of this attack to justice.”

“UNIFIL peacekeepers remain determined more than ever to pursue our mandated tasks with greater vigor. We will not allow this incident to interrupt our operations on the ground which are continuing in full measure in cooperation with the Lebanese army,” he added.

“I was assured that the Lebanese authorities and the people at large share the same determination towards the continued implementation of U.N. Security Council resolution 1701 and we agreed that to this end security and safety of UNIFIL peacekeepers is vital,” Asarta stated.