Lebanese Government Mum on Alleged Infiltration of al-Qaida Members into Syria
The Lebanese government remained tight-lipped on Saturday on Syrian claims that Lebanon had warned Damascus about the infiltration of al-Qaida members into Syria from its territories.
Lebanese Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour was only quoted as saying that “Lebanon hasn’t officially notified the Syrian foreign ministry about the infiltration of al-Qaida members to Syria.”
But he stressed that Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn had made such remarks about the issue. Ghosn said on Tuesday that al-Qaida members were active in the border area near the Lebanese eastern town of Arsal.
Mansour’s statement came a day after suicide bombers hit two security service bases in Damascus, killing at least 40 people, in attacks the regime blamed on al-Qaida.
“The Lebanese authorities warned us two days ago that an al-Qaida group infiltrated to Syria from Arsal," Syria's foreign ministry spokesman said.
But informed sources told An Nahar daily on Saturday that al-Qaida began fading after the killing of its chief Osama bin Laden in May and other leaders in the network.
The sources said the Syrian claims that were backed by statements made by Ghosn were similar to the behavior of slain Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. They did not elaborate.
Western diplomatic sources also warned Lebanese authorities against “covering up and legitimizing the claims about al-Qaida’s presence in Lebanon” for fears that such allegations would reflect negatively on the country’s stability.
In remarks to al-Joumhouria newspaper, the sources expressed fear that Lebanon would be shoved into the Syrian crisis under the pretext of security over the alleged presence of al-Qaida in its territories.
They urged the government to deny the Syrian claims particularly that the international community is closely monitoring the “services” provided by the Lebanese authorities to the Assad regime by arresting dissidents or by allegedly facilitating financial transactions of Syrians targeted by sanctions.
President Michel Suleiman telephoned Syrian President Bashar Assad on Friday to condemn the bombings, saying they were aimed at scuttling Arab efforts to end the Syrian crisis.
Speaker Nabih Berri also cabled him condemning the “terrorist” blasts and extending his condolences over the victims.
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