Samaha’s arrest over bombings plan angers Hezbollah, allies

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Former Lebanese MP and Information Minister Michel Samaha who was closely associated with the embattled Syrian regime  was detained by Lebanese Internal Security Forces Intelligence Branch for interrogation on Thursday over a “sensitive” security-related matter, media reports said Thursday.

LBC television reported that Samaha confessed during  interrogation that he had transferred “explosives from Syria to Lebanon in his Mercedes car ( that was confiscated by the police on Thursday following his detention) in  order to carry out bombings  during Ramadan iftars in North Lebanon, particularly in the area of Akkar, with Syria’s knowledge.”

He also confessed that  “The explosives were handed over to a person from the Al-Kfoury family” (  who was also arrested yesterday ,” LBC  reported.

Samaha also confessed to receiving his orders from Syrian Brig. General Ali Mamlook

Furthermore, the report said that Samaha’s driver, identified as Fares Barakat, gave statements to the security forces confirming the former Information Minister’s involvement in the “bombings plan.”

The driver’s confessions later led to Samaha’s detention, according to LBC.

The security forces seized two of Samaha’s vehicles, a computer and several items, including CDs and videos, from both houses.

Al-Jadeed television said Samaha’s arrest was based on a videotape that revealed his involvement in planning attacks in the North.

And a security source told Future TV that Samaha was plotting bombings aimed at “stirring a Sunni-Alawite strife and a Sunni-Christian strife.”

Samaha’s  arrest  came upon instructions by acting General Prosecutor Samir Hammoud for “security reasons” which MTV said were linked to an assassination attempt against al-Mustaqbal bloc’s Akkar MP Khaled al-Daher to create civil strife.

Samaha is known for being a staunch ally of the Syrian regime and Hezbollah. He was among several pro-Syrian Lebanese officials who were sanctioned in 2007 by the United States for “contributing to political and economic instability in Lebanon.”

Last November Samaha criticized the sanctions against Syria as a further attempt to break up the country.

“The sanctions are aimed at deconstructing Syria and not to reform it “, he was quoted as saying

Samaha and other supporters of the Syrian regime said they expected the impact of the sanctions to be limited, in large part because Syria’s largest trading partners will not join them. A possible reference to Iran, Russia and China.

Arrest angers Hezbollah, allies

Hezbollah MP Mohammad Raad criticized  Samaha’s arrest and  said Thursday that some Lebanese judges were “associated with suspicious security agencies,”   New TV reported

“We will not remain silent over what happened today,” Raad said in reference to Samaha’s  arrest

Similarly Justice Minister Shakib Qortbawi  who represents Hezbollah ally General Michel Aoun  in the cabinet  criticized  Samaha’s arrest . He told NBN:

“The manner in which Samaha was arrested is unacceptable at all and I will request the acting general prosecutor to investigate the matter.”

The Iranian and Syrian backed Hezbollah militant group is  a   strong support of the Syrian regime in its crackdown against the pro democracy protesters . Over 21000 Syrians,  mainly civilians have been killed since the uprising erupted 17 months ago.

Update: Future TV reported that Syrian president has been contacting his key allies in Lebanon urging them to try and free Samaha at any cost .

Update: The bombing plan includes 24 remotely controlled bombs planted in various locations . Four of the bombs weighed between 15 to 20 kg ( 33- 44) lbs while the remaining 20 ranged between 1.5 to 2 Kg ( 3.3 to 4.4) kg

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29 responses to “Samaha’s arrest over bombings plan angers Hezbollah, allies”

  1. Patience2 Avatar
    Patience2

    “We will not remain silent over what happened today,” …… I hear ‘echoes’ coming from the mouth of the ‘rat-hole’!

    Now, aren’t those two updates just reassuring??  Makes me remember that giant sign looking down over Junieh … Our father, Bashar! Don’t want to hurt Daddy’s feelings!

  2. Patience2 Avatar
    Patience2

    “We will not remain silent over what happened today,” …… I hear ‘echoes’ coming from the mouth of the ‘rat-hole’!

    Now, aren’t those two updates just reassuring??  Makes me remember that giant sign looking down over Junieh … Our father, Bashar! Don’t want to hurt Daddy’s feelings!

  3. Constantin7 Avatar
    Constantin7

    The Syrian apparatus is starting to dismantle and crumble in Lebanon too…Thank God!
    All those who sold their country and their country’s security to Syria are going to be caught one by one. I congratulate the Security services in Lebanon for their daring action, and hopefully more to come that will reach the head of this apparatus in Haret Hreik.
    Notice the more the Syrian regime is weakening the more the Lebanese government is getting stronger and voicing its miscontent with the Syrian actions on our soil. At the end, only the righteous will prevail….”Ma bi sihh illa alsahih”.
    This is the time for the army, the police and the Lebanese security apparatus to gain ground and momentum…

    GO GO LEBANON FREE, INDEPENDENT AND SOVEREIGN !!!!

  4. Constantin7 Avatar
    Constantin7

    The Syrian apparatus is starting to dismantle and crumble in Lebanon too…Thank God!
    All those who sold their country and their country’s security to Syria are going to be caught one by one. I congratulate the Security services in Lebanon for their daring action, and hopefully more to come that will reach the head of this apparatus in Haret Hreik.
    Notice the more the Syrian regime is weakening the more the Lebanese government is getting stronger and voicing its miscontent with the Syrian actions on our soil. At the end, only the righteous will prevail….”Ma bi sihh illa alsahih”.
    This is the time for the army, the police and the Lebanese security apparatus to gain ground and momentum…

    GO GO LEBANON FREE, INDEPENDENT AND SOVEREIGN !!!!

  5. 5thDrawer Avatar
    5thDrawer

    “We will not remain silent over what happened today,” Raad said ….. (while choking on his chicken-breast) ….
    Well, it looks like we are going to see real information coming out of this one. Did we finally get tired of paying ‘The Hague’ to try and achieve any real justice??
    Cudos to Lebanese Internal Security Forces Intelligence Branch …. AND a news outlet that functions.

  6. 5thDrawer Avatar
    5thDrawer

    “We will not remain silent over what happened today,” Raad said ….. (while choking on his chicken-breast) ….
    Well, it looks like we are going to see real information coming out of this one. Did we finally get tired of paying ‘The Hague’ to try and achieve any real justice??
    Cudos to Lebanese Internal Security Forces Intelligence Branch …. AND a news outlet that functions.

    1. now they will start doing moqawashit aginst this security branch…..

  7. Mazen_M Avatar

    Usually (from my experience) Arabs, and especially in Lebanon, deny every single thing that they are accused of even if it is 100 % true. And now all of a sudden, this guy (I won’t even call him a Lebanese because he is a traitor to his country) confesses to everything!!!! Something wrong with this story…..

    1. 5thDrawer Avatar
      5thDrawer

      🙂  ‘Ve Haf Vays To Make You Tok’, Mazen

        1. Patience2 Avatar
          Patience2

          You need to learn Churman (or, maybe Dutch?)

        2. Patience2 Avatar
          Patience2

          You need to learn Churman (or, maybe Dutch?)

        3. shank fue hang drwn qu feek

        4. shank fue hang drwn qu feek

  8. Mazen_M Avatar

    Usually (from my experience) Arabs, and especially in Lebanon, deny every single thing that they are accused of even if it is 100 % true. And now all of a sudden, this guy (I won’t even call him a Lebanese because he is a traitor to his country) confesses to everything!!!! Something wrong with this story…..

    1. 5thDrawer Avatar
      5thDrawer

      🙂  ‘Ve Haf Vays To Make You Tok’, Mazen

        1. Patience2 Avatar
          Patience2

          You need to learn Churman (or, maybe Dutch?)

        2. shank fue hang drwn qu feek

  9. MeYosemite Avatar
    MeYosemite

    We are tired the way politicians poster. If he is a terrorist he will be arrested like one. What? they need a red carpet to prison now?

  10. MeYosemite Avatar
    MeYosemite

    We are tired the way politicians poster. If he is a terrorist he will be arrested like one. What? they need a red carpet to prison now?

  11. MeYosemite Avatar
    MeYosemite

    I remember that guy when he supported Elie Hobeika in mid 80s, another terrorist like him. Good riddance.

  12. MeYosemite Avatar
    MeYosemite

    I remember that guy when he supported Elie Hobeika in mid 80s, another terrorist like him. Good riddance.

  13. MeYosemite Avatar
    MeYosemite

    I remember that guy when he supported Elie Hobeika in mid 80s, another terrorist like him. Good riddance.

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