Syrian Troops Will Stop Drugs, Smuggling

The Syrian military build-up on the border with northern Lebanon maintains a balance of power in the region and is in the interests of both countries, the pro-government website Al-Jamal reported on October 9.



The Syrian state needs to protect itself from smuggling, drugs and terrorism, of which Al-Jamal alleged the CIA and the Israelis were sponsors.



Al-Jamal maintained that Damascus would not influence Lebanon’s security and stability, and would prevent foreign forces intervening in that country. The website argued that the troop presence benefits Lebanon by blocking extremist groups and drug smuggling.



The website also carried a warning that if Syria was under threaten from a “regional crisis”, the army would not hesitate to control the frontier and act in self-defence.