BEIRUT, (SANA) – Lebanese President Michel Sleiman affirmed the need to control the Lebanese-Syrian borders and not allowing the establishment of a so-called buffer zone in Lebanon or making it a base, passage or staging area for smuggling weapons and militants.

In a statement issued by the Presidential Palace on Saturday, Sleiman called on the Lebanese people – particularly in border areas – to support the Lebanese army's efforts to secure the borders, lauding the Lebanese army's work to protect Lebanese territories in Arsal area, adding that this is part of the efforts to keep Lebanon neutral to others' conflicts in the region.

Lebanese Army: Big Numbers of FSA Militia Members Attacked Army Center in Ersal

Earlier  on Saturday, the Lebanese Army said that big numbers of gunmen affiliated to the so-called "Free Syrian Army'' militias attacked a center for the Lebanese army in Ersal area, but no casualties were reported.

The army said in a statement that ''It is the second time in less than a week that members affiliated to the so-called 'Free Syrian Army' militias entered the Lebanese territories in Ersal area, attacking overnight a center for the Lebanese army,'' adding that no casualties were reported in the attack.

The statement said that reinforcements were called in to the area and chased the gunmen who fled after the attack to the mountains and border towns and villages.

The statement said that the Lebanese army won't tolerate using the Lebanese territories to involve Lebanon in the internal events of neighboring countries, renewing resolve to protect the Lebanese territories and respond to any attack.

A source in the Lebanese army denied news that Lebanese soldiers were detained by gunmen in Ersal.

M. Ismael / H. Sabbagh