Mashnouq Vows to Pursue All Fugitives Regardless of 'Sectarian Belonging'

Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq on Friday pledged to pursue all fugitives across Lebanon, hailing the operation of the Internal Security Forces Intelligence Branch that resulted in the arrest of wanted cleric Sheikh Khaled Hoblos and the death of Islamist militant Osama Mansour.

“I want to tell you that you are defending the entire country and all its sects, because this terrorism has no sect or religion,” Mashnouq said at the Saint George Hospital in Ashrafieh, during a visit to the two ISF members who were wounded in the operation.

Mansour and his companion Ahmed al-Nazer were shot dead after they opened fire at the ISF members as they were arresting Hoblos in Bab al-Ramel in the northern city of Tripoli.

“Any words you hear, whichever said they may come from, have no value and do not represent any of the Lebanese, because those whom you confronted had blasphemed against all religions, against the state and against the security and stability of every Lebanese,” the minister added, addressing the wounded.

“The Tripoli operation had to do with the security and stability of all Lebanese,” he noted.

Asked about a statement issued by the Muslim Scholars Committee, which rejected “pre-trial, preemptive killing,” the minister called on the MSC to “verify the facts before issuing any statement containing inaccurate information.”

“The heroes of the Intelligence Branch opened fire after they were shot and wounded,” Mashnouq clarified.

In another response to the Committee, which had called for “pursuing criminals and killers wherever they may be,” the minister vowed that security forces “will not turn a blind eye to any suspect or fugitive in all Lebanese regions, specifically in the South, Dahieh and northern Bekaa.”

“This is a mission that we will not abandon, and it is not Nouhad al-Mashnouq who abandons such a mission or turns a blind eye to any fugitive wanted by the judiciary, regardless of their sect, region or political belonging,” Mashnouq added.

He then headed to the headquarters of the ISF in Ashrafieh, congratulating its officers and policemen on the Tripoli achievement.

Y.R.