Maalouf: Clashes in Baalbek result of maintaining auto security

Deputy of Zahle, Joseph Maalouf, told Voice of Lebanon radio Sunday that clashes in Baalbek stemmed from maintaining auto-security exercised by Hezbollah. In this context, he demanded a real deployment of the army in Baalbek and all Lebanese territories, in order to end the autonomous security, whose failure has been proven in the southern suburbs. "The deployment of security remains an urgent need for Tripoli, as in other regions," he said, stressing the importance of implementing decisions taken at the dialogue table and deployment of the state throughout the country. Commenting on the sinking of the boat in Indonesia, Maalouf said that this disaster denoted the poor socio-economic and security situation in Lebanon. He warned against "the gravity of this situation, when the government is not fulfilling its responsibilities towards the Lebanese." In addition, Maalouf said the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister-designate have to make a courageous decision and form a government of technocrats, arguing that the lack of trust between the Lebanese political parties hindered the formation of the government. "The dialogue should address, first and foremost, the defence strategy. Failure to withdraw Hezbollah from Syria and its attachment to its illegal weapons are obstacles to the holding of national dialogue." The MP stressed the need for the deployment of security forces in Zahle, where kidnappings have recently increased.