Ghosn is in deep trouble over his Al-Qaeda statements

Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn is in deep trouble over his controversial statements on the presence of Al-Qaeda in northern and Eastern Lebanon.

March 14 MP Jamal al-Jarrah, who represents the Future Movement in the parliament said that Ghosn “should resign immediately after he acknowledges that he had committed a grave national mistake and apologizes to the residents of the Lebanese towns of Arsal ( Eastern Lebanon ) and Wadi Khaled (Northern Lebanon.”

Jarrah said during an interview with the Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Anbaa, published on Sunday, that the controversial statements issued by Ghosn about the unconfirmed presence of Al-Qaeda in Lebanon, served as “a message sent by the Syrian regime to the United Nation and UN Security Council in order to justify the two bombings that took place in Syria” recently.

Jarrah added that Ghosn’s statements “have not only harmed Lebanon’s reputation and security, but also its economy, since his remarks frightened investors and tourists.”

March 14 MP Shant Gengenian who represents the Lebanese Forces said that if his group in the parliament will not be convinced by the evidence that Ghosn might present Monday during a National Defense Committee meeting, “then we will call for a no-confidence vote against Ghosn,” due to his controversial statements on the presence of Al-Qaeda.

Ghosn who is reportedly closely associated with the Iranian and Syrian backed Hezbollah and MP Michel Aoun informed the Lebanese cabinet on December 22 that al-Qaeda members had infiltrated the Bekaa town of Arsal.

President Bashar al-Assad’s regime has blamed December 23 rd twin suicide bombing that killed 44 people on “terrorist organizations,” including Al-Qaeda, and quoted Lebanese officials as warning Syria that Al-Qaeda members infiltrated into Syria from the town of Arsal.

Ghosn’s statements have generated domestic criticism, mostly from March 14 alliance which supports the Syrian uprising.

However, reports that Al-Qaeda members are present in Lebanon have not been confirmed.