In a move being cheered by decentralization advocates, Lebanon’s municipalities may soon play a larger role in policing the country. While the idea of local governments sharing the burden of security with the army and the national police force is not new, circumstances on the ground prompted caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel last week to announce a new plan incorporating municipal guards and police in keeping an eye on the country.

Describing what he called a “preventative security” plan at a meeting of some 800 heads of municipalities and municipal unions, Charbel cited fears of more car bombings, assassinations, and the presence of hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees in explaining why cities should beef up foot patrols, install security cameras, and keep streetlights on at night. [Link]