The wave of security warnings issued by some Arab and foreign countries to their nationals in Lebanon, urging them to leave the territory immediately, has raised concerns among the Lebanese people and prompted questions about the reasons and timing of these alerts.
Former Lebanese Interior Minister Major General Marwan Charbel confirmed that the warnings are part of pressure on Lebanese officials to expedite the election of a new president. He indicated that the security situation is under control and there is no need for concern, emphasizing that the events recently observed in the Ain al-Hilweh camp will not extend beyond it but could potentially recur at any moment.
The former minister reiterated that what is happening in Lebanon is, in one way or another, linked to regional developments, particularly the relationship between Saudi Arabia and Iran, as well as between Saudi Arabia and the United States.
Regarding the possibility of other countries joining those that have withdrawn their nationals, he said, "This is possible, but it won't last long, as the warning is temporary, and the coming days will prove that the situation is stable and there is nothing extraordinary."
On the French role in facilitating the election of a new president, Major General Charbel stressed that Paris has played a significant role recently but has encountered regional and international obstacles.
Today, Azem al-Ahmad, a member of the central committee of Fatah and supervisor of the Lebanese arena, arrived in Beirut. He began his meetings with officials by meeting with Prime Minister Najib Mikati, attended by the acting Director General of General Security, Major General Elias Beisari, the head of military intelligence, Major Tony Qahwaji, and the head of the Lebanese-Palestinian dialogue committee, Basil Hassan. From the Palestinian side, the meeting included the Secretary of Fatah Movement and Secretary of the Palestine Liberation Organization factions in Lebanon, Fathi Abu al-Ardat, and the Ambassador of Palestine, Ashraf Dabbour.
During the meeting, the situation in the Ain al-Hilweh camp and the necessary measures to solidify the ceasefire were discussed. It is noteworthy that caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati had been following up, along with Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib and Interior and Municipalities Minister Judge Bassam Mawlawi, on developments related to the warning statements issued by the embassies of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Germany, and others for their nationals in Lebanon.
As a result of discussions with military and security leaders, available data indicated that the overall security situation does not warrant anxiety or panic and that political and security communications to address the events in Ain al-Hilweh have made significant progress. The matters are under close monitoring to ensure overall stability and prevent any disturbances to security or targeting of citizens, residents, and Arab and foreign tourists.
Mikati tasked Bou Habib with communicating with "Arab brothers to reassure them about the safety of their citizens in Lebanon." He also requested Mawlawi to convene the Central Security Council to discuss the challenges that Lebanon may face in these tense regional circumstances and to take appropriate decisions to maintain security in all areas.
