Caretaker Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi. Photo archives Houssam Chbaro.
Lebanon’s caretaker Interior Minister, Bassam Mawlawi, said Thursday that security forces are taking “all necessary measures” to ease traffic congestion caused by the return of displaced residents to their homes in southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut.
“The major challenge is ensuring the integrity of Lebanese territory and overseeing the return and reconstruction without encroachments on public and private properties,” Mawlawi said during a press conference at his office after a meeting of the central security committee, according to local media.
He added that he would meet with regional governors to establish a framework for protecting properties during the reconstruction process.
Hundreds of thousands of people fled areas bombarded by the Israeli army over the past two months, seeking refuge in Beirut and towns and villages north of the capital, including the Akkar province. They began returning home immediately after the cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect Wednesday.
Addressing reports of encroachments on private properties in host areas, Mawlawi noted, “These violations will end once the displaced return to their homes, and security forces will oversee their departure from occupied spaces.”
He also stated, “We can confirm that the presence of displaced persons in schools has now ended.”
The minister said he issued directives for security patrols across all regions “to maintain order,” praising the solidarity shown by the Lebanese population. He added that security forces, who remained on the ground throughout the crisis, reported only minor incidents over 66 days.
However, Mawlawi criticized celebratory gunfire following the cease-fire, particularly in Beirut’s southern suburbs, which suffered heavy destruction from Israeli airstrikes.
“Lebanese citizens must help us enforce the law. Those who survived the war should not be killed by stray bullets,” he said.
Asked about the Cabinet meeting held Wednesday, Mawlawi revealed that Army Commander Gen. Joseph Aoun had presented ministers with a three-phase deployment plan for the military in southern Lebanon. The plan aims to ensure the safety of returning residents and the security of the territories.
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