Rami al-Amine / New TV & Mosaic World – 2010-10-14 23:44:35

New TV Clip Courtesy of Mosaic World News
Interview with Arms Dealer Begins at 10:20 Minutes into the Clip

Sectarian Tension Fueling Lebanon’s Weapons Trade

BEIRUT (October 13, 2010) — In our investigation into the weapons trade, we met with a dealer and looked into the conditions of the Tariq al-Jdideh region.

Reporter, Male #1
Here, behind this door, we will receive adequate answers to numerous questions related to weapons and armament. Answers provided by a weapons dealer whose market is active these days.

Guest, Male #2 (Arms dealer)
The weapons market that we’re familiar with does not initiate war nor end war. However, when a security development occurs, the weapons market is activated. In reality, the market in this country is composed of three types.

The first type is based on tradition; the entire Lebanese population likes to have individual arms. This market is inactive during the school session and holidays, including the month of Ramadan. It all depends on the circumstances. It also depends on the economic situation.

The second market relates to any security breach, or political conditions like those witnessed before March 7th. It ignites the market to an unimaginable level. As of now, this has not happened.

And finally, the third market is that of wealthy individuals who like distinct, expensive weapons that you don’t really buy to fight with.

Guest, Male #3 (Tariq al-Jdideh resident)
Each bullet that came into this region came from the Shiites in the Shiyah region, Burj al-Barajena and al-Amruthie. It is well known that the dealers are Shiites. I call on Sayyed Hassan to put these dealers in jail because they’re selling weapons with the aim of causing division between people.

We also call on Mr. Nabih Berri because he knows them in the Shiyah region. They saturated the region with weapons, enough already! If a Kalashnikov provides a 100, 50 or 200 dollar profit, is that valid enough for sowing division in the region?

Guest, Male #2 (Arms dealer)
First of all, there’s the Kalashnikov, which is the most popular gun. It is the cheapest one, it’s small and all its components are available. The price of this weapon ranges between 800 and 1,200 dollars. Then there’s the M-16, which ranges between 1,300 and 1,600 dollars. The BKC machine gun costs 3,000 dollars. The Val assault rifle is between 600-700 dollars.

Guest, Male #3
No one wants to have problems in Tariq al-Jdideh. There are only a few people who are benefiting and they are going around saying that their religion is under threat, that it is being threatened. So they ask people if they want weapons and make a quick buck.

Guest, Male #2
Armament is not an internal issue. If one is to buy arms from local merchants, their ammunition will not last longer than two days. They will all run out of ammunition if it is not imported.

Guest, Male #3
They’re arming themselves against whom exactly? I don’t know. If it’s in fear of the Shiites, I was not aware that the Shiites want to fight against us. If they wanted to do so then they would’ve said so. They won’t fight against us. We live and make our livelihood here in the Tariq al-Jdideh region.

Posted in accordance with Title 17, Section 107, US Code, for noncommercial, educational purposes.