Former Lebanese President Michel Aoun warned Tuesday that Lebanon faces "great danger" due to three key challenges, particularly the risk of further escalation along the already volatile border with Syria in a statement relayed by local media.

The remarks from Aoun, the founder of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) — now led by Gebran Bassil and in opposition — come amid clashes along the Lebanese-Syrian border between Lebanese residents, mostly Shiites believed to be close to Hezbollah, and members of the Syrian armed forces. Meanwhile, Israel continues to strike suspected Hezbollah targets in South Lebanon and the Bekaa.

"The land border with Syria has been violated by groups of various affiliations involved in smuggling operations and illegal crossings, leading to repeated incidents, armed confrontations, and attacks on border villages, including kidnappings, assassinations, and massacres of Lebanese citizens," the former president said. He warned that local officials and residents raising alarms about these developments are only signaling "more serious events to come."

Aoun also pointed to the threat posed by Israel’s "continued aggression and violation of Lebanese sovereignty, without deterrence, as martyrs and victims fall daily in their villages and on their lands, despite the cease-fire agreement linked to the implementation of Resolution 1701."

As a third danger, Aoun cited the "growing number of Syrian refugees, with no clear Lebanese or international plan to address their issue, despite new political developments in Syria and the disappearance of any justification for their continued presence, along with new waves of displacement."

He called on officials to "immediately take the necessary measures to preserve the security of the country and its citizens" and to assume "the historic responsibility of confronting the existential challenges facing Lebanon."

These circumstances, he said, require summoning the Supreme Defense Council to take appropriate measures "to counter the threats to national security." "It is a duty, not an option, for those in positions of responsibility," he insisted.

"Let no one think they will be spared the repercussions of these dangers, for we are all citizens of the same country. What affects its South, North, or East affects the entire nation and strikes at its heart. Do not underestimate or ignore these threats," Aoun concluded.