Lebanon’s caretaker Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi said on Tuesday that the security forces have managed to arrest eight terror cells in 2022, assuring that the country’s security is under control.

“The Intelligence Directorate was capable of arresting eight terror cells in 2022. We adhere to the secrecy of our investigations knowing that we only disclose information that appeases the Lebanese. Security forces are on the watch to ensure their safety,” said Mawlawi during the Central Security Council meeting.

He said the security situation is “acceptable” compared to the current circumstances that the country is going through.

“The crime rate is not growing comparable to the crime rate in 2021,” he said, adding that the problematic security situation in Lebanon’s city of Tripoli has been brought under control.

On the attempts to smuggle narcotics, he said the security and military forces are exerting serious efforts to stop that, “our efforts will continue,” he stressed.

“The fact that more attempts to smuggle drugs abroad are being stopped indicates how serious the security and military forces are in carrying out their duties,” said Mawlawi.

On the situation in the Syrian encampments of refugees, he said that despite the “exceptional circumstances” that the crisis-hit country is going through, the security and military apparatuses are carrying out their duties.