Geagea urges Syria to withdraw arrest warrants

Lebanese Forces (LF) leader Samir Geagea called on Syria to withdraw its “ridiculous arrest warrants” issued on Sunday in the case of former head of General Security Jamil as-Sayyed if it wants to establish good relations with Lebanon, according to a statement issued by Geagea’s press office on Tuesday.

In December 2009, Sayyed filed a lawsuit in Damascus against various defendants whom he alleges were involved in a conspiracy of false testimonies against him.

Last Sunday the Syrian judiciary reportedly issued 33 arrest warrants for judges, officers, politicians and journalists of Lebanese, Arab and other nationalities in the case brought by former Lebanese General Security chief Jamil as-Sayyed, according to a statement from Sayyed’s office.

Sayyed and 3 other generals were detained from 2005 to 2009 on suspicion of involvement in former PM Rafik Hariri’s murder. In April 2009, the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL ) ordered their release without charges due to insufficient evidence. STL prosecutor made it clear at the time they were set free that their release did not mean they are Innocent and that once more evidence is available they could be back in jail.

Geagea voiced his surprise that the cabinet insisted on maintaining special relations with Syria after the former issued arrest warrants.

The cabinet asked Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar on Monday to handle the issue of the arrest warrants with his Syrian counterpart

Geagea said these arrest warrants target Prime Minister Saad Hariri, the judiciary, Internal Security Forces (ISF), MPs and ministers.

Despite efforts by Hariri and President Michel Suleiman, Syrian-Lebanese relations have been severely tarnished, the LF leader said.

Commenting on Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s mid-October visit to Lebanon, Geagea said he is welcome provided he does not address the West from Lebanon.”