Ban: Alleged Involvement of Lebanese in Syria War Contradicts Dissociation Policy

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Lebanese leaders must adhere to their declared neutrality on the Syrian civil war amid warnings that the fighting could spill over the border, U.N. leader Ban Ki-moon warned Wednesday.

"The reported involvement of certain Lebanese elements in the conflict in Syria is contrary to Lebanon's policy of disassociation," Ban said in a report to the U.N. Security Council on the implementation of resolution 1701.

More than 300,000 Syrians have taken refuge in Lebanon, which has been bitterly divided by the 23-month-old conflict across the border.

The U.N. secretary general expressed "grave concern" at reports of Lebanese being killed in Syria and "further deaths of Hizbullah members fighting inside Syria."

"The dangers for Lebanon of such involvement and indeed of continued cross-border arms smuggling are obvious. I call upon all Lebanese political leaders to ensure that Lebanon remains neutral in respect of external conflicts," Ban said.

According to the U.N. report, 13 Lebanese were among 17 people killed by Syrian government forces in the Syrian border town of Tall Kalakh on November 30 after they crossed from Lebanon.

Other sources have said 21 Lebanese were killed there.

Reports have said the Salafists hand entered Syria to fight alongside the rebel Free Syrian Army.

There was more deadly cross-border fighting on February 17, and "further reports of Hizbullah fighters being killed, apparently in fighting in Syria, at that time and previously," said the report, without giving further details.

The Syrian conflict has heightened sectarian tensions in Lebanon between Hizbullah and its allies backing President Bashar Assad and the March 14 opposition alliance supporting opposition rebels.

Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on Wednesday accused Syrian rebels of attacking Lebanese Shiites living in Syrian villages and denied claims his group had targeted insurgents across the border.

Ban said the Lebanese army needed "greater means" to control the border, which is poorly delineated and patrolled. The army is looking for international funding to increase its capacities.

Comments 1
Missing ArabDemocrat.com 11 years

"Alleged Involvement of Lebanese in Syria War Contradicts Dissociation Policy" according to Ban. Wow - He is mastering the art of the obvious.