Salam backs Beirut security surge and urges arrest of illegal-arms carriers

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on 18 October praised the reinforcement of security forces across Greater Beirut over the previous two days, after night-time gatherings in the capital raised concern, according to LBCI.

Salam phoned Army Commander Gen. Rodolphe Haykal and Internal Security Forces chief Maj. Gen. Raed Abdullah to commend the deployment, saying it reassures citizens that the state is protecting them.

He also met Justice Minister Adel Nassar and Prosecutor General Rami Hajj to review widening the investigation into the explosives seized at Dahr al-Baydar, and called for the arrest and referral to the judiciary of everyone involved in holding or moving illegal weapons.

LBCI quoted him as saying the law would be the only limit on these efforts and that decisions on war and peace belong solely to the Lebanese state. The reports come from a single outlet so far, and details of the gatherings were not given.