Former Lebanese minister arrested for planning attacks for Syria's Assad

[Twain]

BEIRUT
Michel Samaha, a former Lebanese minister who is a close ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has reportedly confessed to helping plan a series of bomb attacks against Sunni targets in north Lebanon at the behest of the Syrian leadership.

The discovery of the reported bomb plot will have significant political repercussions if confirmed and will harden fears in Lebanon that the embattled Assad regime is seeking to export its troubles to its tiny neighbor, which is split between supporters and opponents of the Syrian president.

Officers from the information branch of Lebanon’s Internal Security Forces raided Samaha’s home in the village of Kinshara north of Beirut early yesterday, bundling the pajama-clad former minister into a car and seizing documents, CDs, and computers and reportedly $170,000 in cash. His bodyguard, secretary, and driver were also detained for questioning, although they were released later that day.

According to Lebanese media reports, the alleged bomb plot was discovered when a man identified only by his family name, Kfouri, became an informant for the police after Samaha allegedly attempted to recruit him for the operation. According to the reports, the most damning piece of evidence against Samaha is video footage shot in secret by Kfouri in which Samaha discusses the plot.

The video allegedly shows Samaha saying “this is what Bashar wants,” a reference to the Syrian president. The video also reportedly shows Samaha saying that he received the bombs from General Ali Mamlouk, the head of the Syrian General Security Directorate.


Former Lebanese minister arrested for planning attacks for Syria's Assad - CSMonitor.com

 

[Twain]

Lebanon indicts Syrians as bomb plot uncovered

Lebanese authorities say they have uncovered a Syrian plot to destabilize Lebanon in an investigation that has led to the indictment of a top Syrian official and compounded fears that Damascus aims to export its civil conflict next door.

The indictments issued in Beirut against two Syrian officers, including General Ali Mamlouk, mark an unprecedented Lebanese move against a more powerful neighbor that has been a major player in the country's affairs for decades.

If confirmed, the alleged plot drawn up in collaboration with a former Lebanese minister to ignite sectarian strife in Lebanon would represent a major blow to Syria's Lebanese allies, including Hezbollah.

A formal indictment from the military prosecutor issued on Saturday accused Michel Samaha, the Lebanese politician in question, Ali Adnan, a Syrian colonel, and General Mamlouk, head of the Syrian national security bureau, of forming an "armed gang" that planned to detonate bombs prepared by the Syrians with the aim of "inciting sectarian fighting" in Lebanon.

Lebanon indicts Syrians as bomb plot uncovered | Reuters

I guess Lebanon is tired of Syria messing with their country.

 

[Banu Umayyah]

I guess Lebanon is tired of Syria messing with their country.

That's not possible. Mikati is a puppet of Syria. In fact, before he became prime minister, he had huge business relations with Hizballah. That's why this news is very strange.

 

[Twain]

That's not possible. Mikati is a puppet of Syria. In fact, before he became prime minister, he had huge business relations with Hizballah. That's why this news is very strange.

I understand that. I think what has happened is that Assad has gone too far this time and he got caught on video. Assad's opponents in Lebanon see Assad as weaker right now so they are using this opportunity to attempt to actually make Lebanon an independent country rather than a client state of Syria. I hope they succeed, the lebanese deserve the right to determine their own future.