Report: Smugglers of Weapons to Syria Confess, Kingpin’s Whereabouts Unknown

Investigators probing the alleged smuggling of weapons from Lebanon to Syria have discovered that several suspects held in the case have previously carried out similar operations, As Safir newspaper reported on Wednesday.

The military prosecutor general charged during the weekend two Lebanese men with allegedly smuggling weapons from the Beirut Marina to Syria.

“Data obtained throughout the continuing investigations with the suspects, who are affiliated with the March 14 forces, unveiled important information, which confirms that this wasn’t the only operation carried out by them,” a security source told the daily.

The source said investigations revealed that three men are involved in this issue W. T., his cousin S. T. and A. A., however, the whereabouts of M. A. who is also involved in the smuggling operations is unknown

The three detained suspects confessed that M. A. is the kingpin in the case, and resides in a town in northern Lebanon.

“He is very close to one of the March 14 leaders in the north,” the source said.

The suspects have been directed to the military court, and then were transferred to al-Qobbeh prison in Tripoli, the source added.

Lebanon's largest company real estate developer, Solidere, issued a statement on Friday saying “the Lebanese security authorities are the only sides entitled with the preservation of security, inspection and monitoring at the Beirut Marina.”

The company, which was founded by former Premier Rafik Hariri in 1994 to rebuild downtown Beirut, denied its knowledge or link to any operation of arms smuggling from the facility.