Syrian Armed Opposition Operating… from Lebanon! http://www.english.moqawama.org/essaydetails.php?eid=20633&cid=269

Hussein Assi What's really happening at the Lebanese-Syrian borders? Is it accurate to speak of Syrian "violations" of the Lebanese sovereignty? What about the "provocations" taking place from the Lebanese side? Such questions were raised during the last few days in light of the "protest memos" that were exchanged between the Lebanese and Syrian authorities, and also in light of the daily "shootings" taking place at the area.Between Violations and Provocations.. At first glance, one cannot ignore the dangers of the borders' incidents and their potential repercussions at all levels. Indeed, the shooting and firing incidents are occurring on daily basis, signaling that some plot is being prepared to push Lebanon into a "non-innocent" conflict with its neighbor, Syria. Also at first glance, daily reports of Syrian ammunitions and rockets falling within the Lebanese territories seem to be suspicious. Some press reports even go on to speak of Lebanese territories being subject to some Syrian "bombardment". Such reports seek to portray the Syrian military operations at the border area as violations to the Lebanese sovereignty, and therefore to all the agreements reached between Lebanon and Syria, throughout history. However, speaking of Syrian violations to the Lebanese territories is not accurate. "This is not even half of the truth," a well-informed political source told moqawama.org. "Taking a verdict needs to examine the whole truth and perceive what's really happening at the border side," the source said, as it found strange the "accusations" launched here and there, without any proof. "The whole truth is not limited, here, to the fact that any Syrian operation at the border area is nothing but a response to provocations..." SMUGGLING CONTINUES... The political source makes it clear: defending the border against potential aggressions cannot be a violation. To explain, it recalls of "documented" arguments, including a recently-issued report by the United Nations' Lebanon Independent Border Assessment Team (LIBAT), which stated that the border between Syria and Lebanon is highly porous, and that there is no mechanism capable of preventing the smuggling of weapons and other materials. The source noticed that the nature of the borders makes smuggling something very familiar. It highlighted that Lebanese authorities recently arrested Syrian men accused of smuggling arms into Syria from Lebanon. A few weeks earlier, authorities in the border discovered trucks smuggling a cache of weapons into Syria. It is believed these weapons were destined for the so-called Free Syrian Army seeking to fight against the Syrian army. This is not everything. The source also points to the accusations made by Syrian envoy to the United Nations Bashar al-Jaafari for some Lebanese parties of funding and arming militants. "Some political sides in Lebanon, not the Lebanese state, are funding, arming and giving the terrorist groups shelters on the Lebanese territories," al-Jaafari told UN Security Council debate on the Middle East. These sides "are inciting those militants to hold terrorist acts in order to escalate clashes and to spur further bloodshed," the Syrian envoy added. "The Syrian envoy's accusations do not come from void," the political source told moqawama.org. "Of course, they are neither a conspiracy against these Lebanese sides nor a media campaign seeking to justify the so-called violations," the source stressed, as it recalled of the "famous" letter previously submitted by Jaafari to the international organizations, with documented facts. While noting that, as expected, the letter was not even discussed, the source emphasized that the memo submitted by Syrian Ambassador Ali Abdul Karim Ali to the Lebanese authorities serves the same goals. Syrian Activists Operating in Lebanon That's it. Speaking of Syrian violations is only half of the truth. Perhaps, speaking of Lebanese violations is also half of the truth. However, when some facts, revealing some "dangerous involvement" is released, the whole story becomes clearer. These facts point that the presence of Syrian opposition activists in Lebanon has spread, and among them fighters who are active at the border area. These facts are not rumors, they are documented and stated in official security reports. At first, they largely confined themselves to the border districts of Wadi Khaled, Ersal and al-Qaa. They had to maintain a low profile, and took precautions to keep their actions discreet, while being watched by Lebanese army intelligence. Subsequently, the Syrian rebels' presence began spreading to other parts of Lebanon, as the fighting in Syria intensified and most of the border villages on the Syrian side came under opposition control. They were provided with an unprecedented political embrace in the north, giving them access to the regional capital Tripoli. In a report published this week, Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar spoke of some Lebanese involvement in the "activities" of the Syrian rebels. According to the daily, they have received some support from a Future movement official, identified as A.H. Sources noted that the rebels were preparing Salafi groups to enter Syria and execute operations.The sources, quoted by the daily, also revealed a role played by the area's "lawmakers", who are actually providing the rebels with the political "cover". Even more, a meeting was held a few days ago at one lawmaker's residence, and joined two MPs alongside a military official, close to the Future party, as well as a prominent figure in the armed so-called Syrian opposition. One of the lawmakers is personally overseeing the rebels' needs and preparations for an attack against the Syrian borders' crossings.Lebanese Involvement Proved..The daily, which noted that the two involved lawmakers are optimistic the Syrian regime would fall soon, perhaps before the end of the holy month of Ramadan, noted that the security forces have all data about the rebels' activities and movements. Yet, they are unable to take any action. Some political sides in Lebanon, not the Lebanese state, are funding, arming and giving the terrorist groups shelters on the Lebanese territories In the same context, other reports noted that a prominent Syrian opposition leader of the extreme persuasion was seen repeatedly travelling in a car bearing a Lebanese MP's number plate, accompanied by a vehicle full of armed men. Commanders of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) are also known to travel under the protection of Lebanese political figures. The message that got through was that most Syrian opposition activists know that their arrest is prohibited in the Land of the Cedars. Nevertheless, says one of them, they still take precautions when doing some things, especially transporting weapons.In conclusion, it seems just unfair to speak of violations or even provocations at the Lebanese-Syrian border. What's happening there is more dangerous. The Syrian armed opposition actually turned the border to a base from where it is planning a series of operations and attacks 7 Terrorists Arrested in Syria, Closely Linked to Geagea and Hariri  .