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Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Man Accused of Attempt on Harb's Life 'Killed in Syria'

2014-05-27

[An Nahar] Mahmoud Hayek, a Hizbullah ...Party of God, a Leb militia inspired, founded, funded and directed by Iran. Hizbullah refers to itself as The Resistance and purports to defend Leb against Israel, with whom it has started and lost one disastrous war to date, though it did claim victory... member charged with involvement in a botched liquidation attempt against Telecom Minister Butros Harb, has been "killed in Syria," according to media reports. "Mahmoud Hayek, who was charged with attempting to assassinate Minister Butros Harb, has been killed in Syria," Future TV reported on Monday afternoon. Meanwhile, ...back at the dirigible, the pilot and the copilot had both hit the silk. Jack! Cynthia exclaimed. Do you know how top drive one of these things? Jack wiped some of the blood from his knuckles. No, he said. Do you?... news website alkhabarpress.com, which is close to Hizbullah, confirmed that "Mahmoud Hayek was martyred while performing his jihadist duty," an expression Hizbullah uses to announce the death of group members killed fighting in Syria. According to the website, Hayek hails from the southern town of Adchit. "Security sources said they're aware of reports about Hayek's death and that they obtained information confirming his death," MTV reported in the evening. The sources, however, declined to confirm or deny the news in a final manner. For his part, Minister Harb denied to MTV receiving any official information on Hayek's alleged death. Hizbullah had on Sunday announced the death in Syria of Fawzi Ayyoub, a top military leader who hails from the southern town of Ain Qana.

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Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Army Raids Northern Neighborhoods in Search of Fugitives, Arrests Omar Bakri Associate

2014-04-04

[An Nahar] The army on Thursday raided several neighborhoods in the northern city of Tripoli ...a confusing city, one end of which is located in Lebanon and the other end of which is the capital of Libya. Its chief distinction is being mentioned in the Marine Hymn... in search of runaways, as part of the security plan that troops started implementing earlier this week to end the state unrest and instability in the North. The Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau also carried out raids in the northern Akkar town of Halba, and succeeded in arresting Sheikh Musheer Khodr, who is linked to radical holy man Omar Bakri, radio Voice of Leb (93.3) said. Media reports said that Bakri, however, was able to escape the raids. "Checkpoints have been erected in the Tripoli neighborhood of Abi Samra and troops raided several locations in the region," VDL mentioned. It noted that army forces raided al-Bazar street in the city as they were looking for runaway Talal Issa. "The army also raided Hussam al-Sabbagh's farm in Abi Samra," the same source added, describing him as a "very important runaway." Troops, however, did not find him, VDL said. Al-Jadeed television reported that Abdullah Yahya Mahmoud al-Hussein, who is nicknamed Abi Bakr al-Ansari, was also incarcerated Drop the rosco, Muggsy, or you're one with the ages! in Tripoli's al-Qobbeh. Meanwhile, ...back at the dirigible, Cynthia backed into the galley, the barbecue fork held in front of her. Jack! she called. Where the hell are you?... troops positioned in the Tripoli neighborhood of Jabal Mohsen near the house of Arab Democratic Party politburo chief Rifaat Eid ...secretary general of the Leb Arab Democratic Party, a Pencilneck regime front organization... , who had left Leb along with his father, Ali Eid. On Wednesday, the military institution announced arresting 33 people, including 14 Syrians, in Tripoli. Troops also seized 15 cycle of violences, 10 unlawful cars, in addition to weapons and ammunition. Separately on Thursday, one person was killed in an individual dispute that erupted in the Tripoli neighborhood of Bab al-Tabbaneh. "Ahmed Mohammed Abdullah, nicknamed Ahmed al-Aswad, died of his wounds in the Islamic Hospital after he was critically injured in the dispute," the state-run National News Agency said. VDL (93.3) had said that the Commando Regiment was carrying out raids in Tripoli's vegetable market following the dispute. Ex-Prime Minister Saad Hariri Second son of Rafik Hariri, the Leb PM who was assassinated in 2005. He has was prime minister in his own right from 2009 through early 2011. He was born in Riyadh to an Iraqi mother and graduated from Georgetown University. He managed his father's business interests in Riyadh until his father's assassination. When his father died he inherited a fortune of some $4.1 billion, which won't do him much good if Hizbullah has him bumped off, too. lauded the Tripoli security plan on Thursday, saying it proved that "the state can extend its authority across all Lebanese regions when it determines to do so." "We particularly salute the efforts exerted by the interior and the justice ministers, as well as all Tripoli's politicians, and civil activists," Hariri said in a released statement. He also praised "the sacrifices of the army and security forces to safeguard the city and protect its people." Prime Minister Tammam Salam telephoned the ministers of telecommunications, public works, energy, health and social affairs on Thursday afternoon, urging them to respond to the demands and needs of Tripoli regions affected in the fighting. Meanwhile, ...back at the dirigible, Cynthia backed into the galley, the barbecue fork held in front of her. Jack! she called. Where the hell are you?... Telecommunications Minister Butros Harb ordered the technical teams in the ministry and in OGERO to inspect the damages sustained by the phone network in Tripoli due to the festivities.

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Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Judge Demands Death Penalty for Hizbullah Member over Harb Murder Attempt

2013-03-08

[An Nahar] Military Examining Magistrate Fadi Sawan asked for the death penalty against a Hizbullah member in the attempted liquidation of Batroun MP Butros Harb. Sawan's request against Mahmoud al-Hayek, who hasn't surrendered to police, came in an indictment he issued Thursday. He also issued an arrest warrant against him and referred the file to the permanent military court for trial. State Commissioner to the Military Court Judge Saqr Saqr asked on Wednesday for a sentence of life in prison with hard labor for al-Hayek who has been charged with the liquidation attempt on Harb last year and with carrying out acts of terror. Harb, a March 14 opposition politician, escaped the liquidation bid after residents of a building in which his office is located in the Beirut district of Badaro discovered individuals trying to booby-trap the elevator. A string of high-level liquidations struck Leb between 2004 and 2008, targeting political, media and security figures who vocally opposed the Syrian government, including former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri who was killed in a powerful boom-mobile blast in February 2005.

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Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Hariri to Nasrallah: Protectors of Rafik Hariri's Assassins Mustn't Discuss His History

2013-02-17

"Shut up," he explained kindly. [An Nahar] Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri stated on Saturday that those "protecting the killers of late PM Rafik Hariri have no right to talk about his history". Hariri's Twitter statement came as a response to Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's Saturday speech during which he said the late PM was supportive of the party's arms until "peace was reached in the Middle East". "Hariri had told me he would resign from the premiership to avoid being in conflict with Hizbullah," Nasrallah stated during the commemoration of the party's "martyr leaders". Hizbullah's leader lashed out at Saad Hariri, accusing him of trying to strike a settlement over backing him for the premiership. He revealed: "You proposed to neutralize the arms of the resistance if we agreed to support you as a premier". "We will not support you because we want a president who is present in Lebanon," he expressed. Referring to Hizbullah's controversial arsenal of weapons, Hariri had said on Thursday during the March 14 commemoration of late PM Hariri that "today, every Lebanese is able to see that the problem is not a fatal mistake in (the Bekaa town of) Arsal, the problem lies in fatal weapons widespread across Lebanon, because there is a mini-state more powerful than the state. Hariri had also addressed the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, saying: "But is it possible that Hizbullah continues to bury its head in the sand and refuses to see the state of anxiety, alienation and division that exists in the Islamic arena as a result of its refusal to hand over the suspects. Is it possible that Hizbullah refuses until now to hand over the accused in the assassination attempt against (MP) Butros Harb?" Four Hizbullah members have been named suspects by the Special Tribunal for Lebanon in the Beirut truck bombing that killed Hariri and 21 others on Feb. 14 , 2005.

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Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Report: Mamlouk Sent Hizbullah New List of Assassination Targets

2013-02-11

[An Nahar] A top Syrian security official has recently sent Hizbullah a list of Lebanese political and military personalities targeted for assassination, the Kuwaiti al-Seyassah newspaper reported on Sunday. The daily quoted a Gulf diplomat in Abu Dhabi as saying that the list, which includes 13 names, was sent by Maj. Gen. Ali Mamlouk, who has been charged by a Lebanese military court of involvement along with ex-Information Minister Michel Samaha in a terror plot to destabilize Lebanon. Arrest warrants in absentia were issued on Monday against Mamlouk and his aide known only by his first name as Adnan. A Gulf intelligence agency informed Lebanese security apparatuses several days ago about the list that was provided by a suspect arrested in the UAE, the diplomat said. The Lebanese suspect struck a deal with UAE authorities to provide the names in return for his release and deportation to a country of his choice, he said. The list reportedly includes the names of al-Mustaqbal lawmakers Ahmed Fatfat, Nuhad al-Mashnouq, Khaled al-Daher, Moeen al-Merehbi and former general prosecutor Saeed Mirza. Other names on the list are MP Marwan Hamadeh, who was the target of an assassination attempt in 2004, Internal Security Forces chief Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi, Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea and opposition lawmaker Butros Harb. Geagea escaped gunfire at his residence in Maarab last year while Harb was also the target of an assassination plot that was thwarted when the residents of a building where he has an office in Badaro saw suspects placing a bomb in the elevator. Other well known March 14 opposition officials on the list are al-Mustaqbal movement chief ex-PM Saad Hariri, who is in Paris for over a year, and Phalange MP Sami Gemayel, who was reportedly warned by security forces on several occasions that he could be the target of an assassination attempt. Two other army generals are on the list, al-Seyassah said, adding that they are tipped to succeed army chief Gen. Jean Qahwaji. Late last year, reports said that Interior Minister Marwan Charbel received a list of 15 names targeted for assassination.

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Sri Lanka

LF Urges Hizbullah to Hand Over Suspects in Bulgaria, Harb, Hariri Cases

2013-02-09

[An Nahar] Lebanese Forces A Christian political party founded by Bashir Gemayel, who was then bumped off when he was elected president of Leb... parliamentary bloc urged Hizbullah on Friday to hand over the party members accused of being involved in a bus bombing in Bulgaria and in the Rafik Hariri and Butros Harb cases to concerned authorities. "This is just another chapter of the harm Hizbullah's military wing is causing to the country's security, economy, and its international relations," a released statement said after the bloc's weekly meeting, demanding the party to disarm and hand over its weaponry to the Lebanese army. "We call on Hizbullah to follow the lead of other Lebanese parties and convert into a strictly political movement," the statement added. The LF MPs said: "Hizbullah must act responsibly and stop involving Leb in serious cases". The Bulgarian government said Tuesday that Hizbullah was behind a kaboom in July that killed five Israeli tourists and one Bulgarian. The bombing on a bus carrying Israelis at Burgas Airport on Bulgaria's Black Sea coast, the deadliest attack on Israelis abroad since 2004, also killed the Bulgarian bus driver and the bomber. Some 30 people were maimed. The bloc condemned the "exploitation of (Bekaa town of) Arsal's incident for electoral gains", calling on concerned authorities to pursue "a transparent probe" in this case. The politicians stated: "We demand extending the legal bodies' authority on all Lebanese territories". "Accusations must be directed towards those involved in the incident only while the rest of the town must remain free of such reputation," the bloc remarked. Major Pierre Bashaalani and First Sergeant Ibrahim Zahraman were killed in festivities in Arsal last Friday as the army was seeking to apprehend a wanted suspect, who was also killed in the unrest. Following the incident, the army had sealed off all the entrances to Arsal and brought in reinforcements as part of measures aimed at arresting members of an gang that targeted the patrol and killed Bashaalani and Zahraman. The army also erected checkpoints at the entrances of the town to check the identities of passers-by. The MPs also discussed the situation of refugees fleeing the neighboring war-torn country and coming to Leb, asking the cabinet to reach out to Arab nations and to the international community for help in this regard. "We condemn critiques against President Michel Suleiman ...before assuming office as President, he held the position of commander of the Leb Armed Forces. That was after the previous commander, the loathesome Emile Lahoud, took office as president in November of 1998. Likely the next president of Leb will be whoever's commander of the armed forces, too... 's statement regarding the deportation of Syrian opposition members back to their country," they expressed, explaining that these activists are "facing torture, jail and murder in Syria". Suleiman said Thursday there are instructions not to deport any Syrian to his home country in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

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Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Harb Hails Judiciary after Man Charged in Attempt on his Life

2013-02-03

[An Nahar] Batroun MP Butros Harb lauded on Saturday State commissioner to the military court Judge Saqr Saqr for "taking the bold decision" to charge Mahmoud Hayek with the attempt on his life. Saqr "took a courageous decision given the pressure ... exerted by Hizbullah on the judiciary by striking deals at the expense of justice and the investigation," Harb told al-Joumhouria newspaper. He expressed regret however that some judicial and political officials had tried to strike a deal with Hizbullah. Harb hoped that "the course of justice would not be subdued by political deals." Saqr charged on Monday Hayek, a Hizbullah member, with the liquidation attempt on Harb in July 2012 and with carrying out acts of terror. If convicted the suspect, who still remains on the lam, could be sentenced to death. The March 14 opposition politician escaped the liquidation bid after residents of a building in which his office is located in the Beirut district of Badaro discovered individuals trying to booby-trap the elevator. A string of high-level liquidations struck Leb between 2004 and 2008, targeting political, media and security figures who vocally opposed the Syrian government, including former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri who was killed in a powerful boom-mobile blast in February 2005.

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Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Hezbully Mahmoud Hayek Charged with Attempt on MP Harb's Life

2013-02-02

[An Nahar] State commissioner to the military court Judge Saqr Saqr charged on Friday Mahmoud Hayek with attempted assassination of MP Butros Harb in July 2012. Hayek refused to appear before the investigative bodies because he is a member of Hizbullah's security apparatus Hayek is also charged with carrying out terrorist activity. If convicted the man could be sentenced to death. Harb had said that Hayek refused to appear before the investigative bodies because he is a member of Hizbullah's security apparatus. The Batroun MP escaped earlier in July an assassination bid after residents of a building in which his office is located in the Beirut district of Badaro discovered individuals trying to booby-trap the elevator. A string of high-level assassinations struck Lebanon between 2004 and 2008, targeting political, media and security figures who vocally opposed the Syrian government, including former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri who was killed in a powerful car bomb blast in February 2005.

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Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Geagea: Era of Settlements with Other Camp is Over, Govt. Represents the Killers

2012-11-01

[An Nahar] Lebanese Forces A Christian political party founded by Bashir Gemayel, who was then bumped off when he was elected president of Leb... leader Samir Geagea ... Geagea was imprisoned by the Syrians and their puppets for 11 years in a dungeon in the third basement level of the Lebanese Ministry of Defense. He was released after the Cedar Revolution in 2005 ... on Wednesday announced that “the era of settlements with the other camp is over,” noting that Prime Minister Najib Miqati's government “represents the killers.” “We want to stop the killing machine that is targeting us. Assassinations have become a trivial thing and unfortunately some officials are calling for dialogue as if nothing happened,” said Geagea in an interview on Future television. “For the institutions to continue functioning, we must stop the killing machine and this is what March 14 wants,” he added. The LF leader noted that ousting Miqati's government is only one aspect of March 14's strategy “because the killers are part of this government.” “How can we explain the fact that from 2004 until today liquidations have only targeted the March 14 camp,” Geagea asked rhetorically. Pointing the finger at the rival March 8 forces ... the opposition to the Mar. 14th movement, consisting of Hizbullah and its allies, so-called in commemoration of their Mar. 8th, 2006 demonstration of strength in Beirut ... over the series of liquidations and liquidation attempts in the country, the last of which was the liquidation of Maj. Gen. Wissam al-Hasan, Geagea said: “Before they assumed power, they voiced objections over telecom data and against the Intelligence Bureau because it is the only security authority that is not under their control.” Asked about the March 8 forces's rationale that handing over the entire telecom data to security agencies would be an invasion of citizens' privacy and therefore a human rights ...not to be confused with individual rights, mind you... violation, Geagea said: “How can they support a regime that is 'stepping on' human rights and still say that the issue of telecom data violates human rights.” “The issue is that the March 14 camp is facing systematic killing operations organized by large groups and armed organizations that have military wings,” Geagea charged. “How can we speak of a political life amid these liquidations? How can we head to polls amid this killing? We must improve the current situation in order to have (parliamentary) elections” in 2013, he added. Asked about the attempt to storm the Grand Serail following al-Hasan's funeral, Geagea said: “Everyone knows that we had no intention or plan to storm the Grand Serail and we ordered our youths to withdraw immediately.” “I disagree with PM Miqati who said that ousting the government is a personal vendetta, because the government represents the killers,” Geagea added. Slamming Hizbullah for sending an Iranian-built drone over Israel, the LF leader said: “Who asked Hizbullah to send the drone? Did the government allow it to do so? The drone was sent at the expense of Leb and Iran obtained its images.” “I ask the (Lebanese) defense minister whether the Lebanese army has copies of the images taken by the reconnaissance drone,” Geagea went on to say. He stressed that “it is unacceptable to employ the interests of the Lebanese in the framework of Iran's strategy against Israel.” Answering a question, Geagea added: “I don't know when will the government fall, but we will continue our efforts to topple it because it contains the representatives of the March 8 forces which is responsible for the liquidation operations.” Asked about Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Wally Jumblat ... Druze politician, head of the Progressive Socialist Party, who's been on every side in Leb at least four times. He'll sell you his friends for a dollar, but family comes higher because of shipping and handling... 's remarks about preserving national unity in the country, Geagea said: “How can we speak of national unity while there are parties voicing support for a regime that sent explosives to Leb and while some parties have sent jihadists to support it.” “Jumblat is not refusing to leave the government out of his fear of vacuum, but rather out of his fear of the 'monster',” added Geagea. “We started serious efforts to ally with the centrist blocs, and this is what pushed them to speed up the liquidations and this was the reason behind the attempt on (MP) Butros Harb's life,” Geagea noted. “The March 8 forces has been trying to cripple political life since 2005 until today,” he added.

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Syria-Lebanon-Iran

At Least 18 Lebanese Figures Face Assassination Threat

2012-10-26

Several Lebanese figures are targets of possible liquidations, reported al-Joumhouria newspaper on Thursday. A widely informed western diplomatic source told the daily that at least 18 Lebanese officials are being monitored, urging them to take the greatest precautions to protect themselves. It explained that these figures not only include prominent officials, but others that do not enjoy as much influence and media exposure. He said that the targets include Lebanese Forces A Christian political party founded by Bashir Gemayel, who was then bumped off when he was elected president of Leb... leader Samir Geagea ... Geagea was imprisoned by the Syrians and their puppets for 11 years in a dungeon in the third basement level of the Lebanese Ministry of Defense. He was released after the Cedar Revolution in 2005 ... , head of the Mustaqbal ... the Future Movement, political party led by Saad Hariri... parliamentary bloc MP Fouad Saniora, former Defense Minister Elias al-Murr, Internal Security Forces chief Ashraf Rifi, MP Butros Harb and a number of Mustaqbal politicians, most notably the Sunni ones and former MP Fares Soaid. In addition, said the source, every potential presidential candidate from the March 14 camp who enjoys strong popular support is also an liquidation target. The source revealed that it had relayed this information to one of Leb's politicians, requesting that it in turn be relayed to the potential targets in order for them to take the necessary precautions. It warned that the assassins may resort to new murder techniques that had not been adopted before, such as booby-trapping an elevator as had happened in the failed liquidation attempt against Harb in July. Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau head Brigadier General Wissam al-Hasan was killed in a car boom on Friday, raising fears that the phase of liquidations in Leb had returned. The March 14-led opposition and Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Wally Jumblat ... Druze politician, head of the Progressive Socialist Party, who's been on every side in Leb at least four times. He'll sell you his friends for a dollar, but family comes higher because of shipping and handling... blamed Syria for Hasan's crime. Geagea was the victim of a failed attempt Curses! Foiled again! on his life in April and Murr was the victim of a failed attempt in July 2005.

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Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Harb: Lawsuit Has Been Filed against Syrian Officers Linked to Tueni's Assassination

2012-10-10

[An Nahar] Opposition MP Butros Harb revealed on Tuesday that the case of the liquidation of MP Gebran Tueni may be referred to the Special Tribunal for Leb should the Lebanese judiciary fail to address the matter. He added: "A lawsuit has been filed against Syrian officers linked to the politician's liquidation." He made the announcement during a presser in light of a recent Al-Arabiya television report that aired documents demonstrating the alleged involvement of Syrian officers and Hizbullah intelligence in the December 12, 2005, liquidation of journalist, MP, and chairman of the board of directors of An Nahar newspaper Gebran Tueni. As the attorney tackling the case, Harb said during the presser: "We want to continue the investigation in the matter and stress that the case of Tueni and the rest of the deaders will remain alive." "We want to send a clear message to the criminals that we reject political liquidations and anyone who tries to assassinate Leb will be confronted," declared the MP. "Despite the political pressure being exerted, we are determined to place our faith in the Lebanese judiciary to tackle Tueni's murder," he added. "We will turn to the STL and request that this case be added to the others it is looking into," revealed Harb. "Should the international tribunal agree to our request, then we will ask the Lebanese judiciary to cease its investigations in the case and turn it over to the STL," he said. "The STL's jurisdiction and means go beyond the agreements signed between Leb and Syria, and at that point, Syria cannot refuse a request to interrogate one of its officers," he stated. Furthermore, he stressed: "We did not turn to the Lebanese government to address this case because we are aware of its poor history in dealing with such matters." The opposition MP said that the government's past practices in similar situations have portrayed it as a partner in obstructing justice. Addressing Hizbullah and its alleged involvement in Tueni's liquidation, Harb said: "We hope the party would act in a manner that would erase all suspicions against it." "We hope our suspicions over this document do not become realized and so far no suspect in Tueni's liquidation has faced the judiciary," he remarked. "We will strive to uncover all the crimes against the Lebanese people through the judiciary. Should we fail then we will leave justice to God," he stressed. On Saturday, Al-Arabiya obtained an alleged Syrian document saying: "With the help of members of the intelligence department of Leb's Hizbullah, Mission 213, which was assigned to them on December 10, has been successfully accomplished with excellent results." The document, dated December 12, 2005, was sent by head of the operations department in the Syrian intelligence, Hasan Abdul Rahman, to then chief of national security department Assef Shawkat, according to Al-Arabiya. "In concurrence with Assef Shawkat's letter on accomplishing the mission and on the same day the letter was sent to the Syrian presidential palace, a booby-trapped car was awaiting Lebanese politician Gebran Tueni to end his life while on his way to work, in an liquidation operation described as mysterious back then," Al-Arabiya added. Hizbullah on Monday denied links to Tueni's liquidation, with Minister Mohammed Fneish saying: "Al-Arabiya's document on Hizbullah is fake and not everything published is a real document and you can tell that from the content." The party later issued a statement denying the report and accusing the March 14 camp of taking advantage of the "baseless accusations fabricated by the Saudi network Al-Arabiya and attributed to Syrian opposition activists, including those related to the liquidation of MP Gebran Tueni."

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Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Hizbullah Denies Link to Harb Assassination Bid

2012-07-25

[An Nahar] Hizbullah denied on Tuesday that it had anything to do with accusations that it was responsible for the liquidation attempt against MP Butros Harb. "The party, its officials and members had nothing to do with the so-called liquidation attempt against MP Harb," said a statement issued by Hizbullah's media relations department. The statement lashed out at the MP and some March 14 members for accusing the party without basing it on any proof. Hizbullah called on officials to halt the "obnoxious political maneuvers and the false allegations that we have grown used to during the past few years." Harb later slammed the party statement, saying that it is unfortunate that Hizbullah would use such a tone when dealing with such a dangerous development as an liquidation attempt. His press office said in a statement: "It is unusual that the party would include such false claims and an insistence that Harb had made his accusation without proof." It stressed that the MP had strictly demanded that the party cooperate with the Lebanese judiciary and allow Hizbullah member M.H. to testify before the investigation. He demanded that cover be lifted off the suspect and that he be allowed to testify in order to remove all suspicions against him "otherwise we would have to accuse Hizbullah of obstructing the investigation and protecting the criminals" The statement added: "Harb does not make it a habit to make false claims and he does not consider the attempt against his life as a joke." "It is not being employed for political purposes as the party claimed, but it is a development aimed at creating strife in Leb and obstructing efforts to restore the authority of the state," it stressed. Harb had said on Saturday that Mahmoud Hayek, the suspect in the attempt on his life, refused to appear before the investigative bodies because he is a member of Hizbullah's security apparatus. The MP escaped an liquidation attempt early July, when three people tried to plant a booby trap inside the elevator of the building where his office is located in Sami Solh.

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