By Xinhua
Beirut : The Lebanese army said on Tuesday that anyone who attempts to destabilize Lebanon will be punished according to the law.
“The existing law should be implemented,” the army’s spokesman Col. Amin Saleh told Xinhua, referring to elements of rival groups who were engaged in violent clashes last week.
“Any one who tries to damage properties of the others will be arrested,” he said, adding that “the task will be carried out by the Lebanese army and the security forces, each group will have to control its elements.”
Street clashes erupted in western Beirut between pro-government supporters and Hezbollah-led opposition loyalties during the weekend, leaving 24 people injured, and setting shops and buildings ablaze.
The troops stepped in to restore order.
Senior Lebanese intelligence officers met Monday with representatives from Hezbollah and Amal movement (opposition) and pro-government Mustaqbal Movement of MP Saad Hariri, The Daily Star reported on Tuesday.
The conferees agreed to lift immunity of elements who get involved in any disturbance, said the report, adding that they also agreed to establish contacts on the ground to prevent renewal clashes.
Following the weekend’s violence, the military command warned against further clashes and pledged firm actions.
Lebanon has been without a president since former President Emile Lahoud ended his term on Nov. 24, 2007.
Lebanon is currently facing the most serious political deadlock since the end of the 1975-1990 civil war. Tension increased in the country as rival groups could not reach an agreement to elect a new president.