BAABDA, Lebanon: Police and the Lebanese Army were urged Wednesday to take extra security measures to maintain civil peace following unrest in the country.

“We stressed that they [security forces] take measures and actions necessary to prevent any breach of civil peace,” a statement read by the secretary general of the Higher Defense Council, Maj. Gen. Adnan Morheb, said.

The statement came following a meeting of the top security body which was chaired by President Michel Sleiman at Baabda Palace and joined by Prime Minister Najib Mikati. The meeting also included Interior Minister Marwan Charbel and Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn.

Morheb said talks focused on the security situation in the country, “particularly in the south after the Israeli enemy intensified its violations and threats; and other areas that have seen unrest and security incidents, in addition to the spate of kidnap-for-ransom.”

He said the decisions made by the council are confidential.