(BEIRUT, (SANA) – Lebanese President Michel Sleiman said on Friday that exporting weapons to the Syrian opposition is a "double crime" to which there can be no leniency, affirming that all those responsible for the Syria-bound weapons that were confiscated on a ship by the Lebanese Navy will be held accountable.

Sleiman told journalists at the Lebanese Presidential Palace that information on where the ship came from and who received it are available, and the judiciary is following up on this issue.

He said that dialogue between Syria and Lebanon is constant, and that the policy of refraining from interfering in Syrian affairs aims at preventing the escalation of the crisis in Syria.

Sleiman voiced support for dialogue among Syrians in order to end violence and establish democracy, noting that this could be achieved through the plan of UN Envoy Kofi Annan.

He also warned against taking a part in the events in Syria and stressed the need for preventing weapons smuggling and not allowing Lebanon to become a base to be used against Syria.

On a relevant note, Lebanese Defense Minister Gen. Jean Qahwaji met with Syria's Ambassador in Lebanon Ali Abdelkarim and Secretary General of the Syrian-Lebanese Higher Council and discussed with them the general situation.

H. Sabbagh