Ibrahim: Mawlawi Case Coordinated with Major World Power, Qaida Exists in Lebanon
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
General Security chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim on Tuesday confirmed media reports that the arrest of Salafist activist Shadi al-Mawlawi was coordinated with a Western security agency, noting that al-Qaida exists in Lebanon and hinting that Mawlawi is a Qaida member.
Speaking to the correspondents of Arab newspapers in Lebanon, Ibrahim said: “As to Mawlawi’s case, I believe that the issue is thorny and weighty, and we have been following up on the case since 13 days without informing anyone in Lebanon because confidentiality is an essential part of our job. This case has major repercussions and local and international aspects.”
Mawlawi’s arrest on Saturday in the northern city of Tripoli by General Security agents had infuriated the city’s Islamists and sparked three days of deadly clashes that left nine people dead and more than 90 wounded.
Ibrahim added: “I’m under the authority of the judiciary and not under the authority of the leaders of streets and alleys. Whenever I receive a judicial warrant I will enforce it and I will not care about the possible reactions, because when I’m covered by the law and the judiciary, red lines cease to exist.”
“Should the warrant come from those against whom my mission is supposed to take place, then there will be no more a state neither a judiciary … I have a mission which I consider to be sacred and it was for the sake of the people of the North and those who have staged a sit-in there,” he went on to say.
Asked whether the arrested cell had links to the recently intercepted arms ship Lutfallah II, Ibrahim said: “Not at all. There is no relation between the two issues, but I want to declare now that the purpose behind the (arrest) operation has nothing whatsoever to do with Syria, and everything that has been said about orders from Syria or Hizbullah is totally untrue.”
And asked whether the General Security had committed a mistake by arresting Mawlawi in that manner, Ibrahim said: “We had a big mission and the officer in charge put the sacredness of his mission above all else, especially that we had orders to lure him and capture him using the appropriate method.”
The General Security chief explained that Mawlawi’s arrest was not an easy task, “as he was armed and escorted by gunmen who immediately fled upon his arrest, and therefore the officer had to think of the best possible way to arrest him.”
Ibrahim revealed that Mawlawi “is a member of a terrorist network, and according to the law, whenever we have information about any individual practicing security and political activities that violate the Lebanese laws we would be obligated to arrest him.”
“Therefore, we arrested the suspect who received sympathy from several parties. Each party has its approach … some people sympathize with him because they think like him, but that doesn’t mean I have a problem with people who think, as we’re in a democratic country and we are proud of that. My problem is with those practicing terrorism,” he added.
“A media report has revealed today that we coordinated with an embassy or a Western security agency. That is true … They accused us of receiving orders from Syria and Hizbullah, but we’re not in anyone’s service. We are in the service of the law in Lebanon,” Ibrahim said.
“This case was coordinated with a major world power, and I believe a major world power will not tackle a security issue in a sectarian manner … and those who know the director general of General Security and his past and career know that I have nothing to do with sectarianism,” he added.
15 May 2012, 22:11
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anonymetexasusa, you are absolutely 100% wrong. You are making too many assumption and Al Moustaqbal is STRONGLY against Al qaida, fateh Islam etc.. and all other extremists groups. Remember who said Nahar Al Bared is a red line, Hassouna, and who backed the Army...it was M14.
In my personal opinion, All peoples should not only supply weapons to FSA but advisors and trainers. The sooner Assad is history the sooner we’ll have peace.
15 May 2012, 22:20
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When a matter like this has massive implications, there should be a little tact and not explain things after 9 people are dead. The first media reports were that he was arrested because he visited Syria. There is a big difference between visiting Syria and belonging to an international terrorist organization. Hats off to the General Security for arresting him if there are doubts that he is involved in terrorism. And so what if they lured him to the office of an MP to arrest him? In the States they go as far as entrapment to arrest terrorists.
15 May 2012, 22:41
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Thank you Samir Geagea. Thank you Saad Hariri. Thank you Fares Soaid. Thank you Samir Franjieh. Thank you Najib Miqati. Thank you Walid Jumblat. Thank you Michel Suleiman. Thank you.
15 May 2012, 22:53
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The comments here amaze me-- never in my life would I imagine far-right politics defend an Al Qaida operative who essentially belongs to a school of thought that promote the death of Christians, Shiites, Jews, and essentially everyone else they consider an infidel. Supporting Syria is one thing, being against Hezballah's arms is also valid, but to defend terrorists--- Geagea and the rest of this forum have truly left me speechless. Bravo.
15 May 2012, 23:00
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"western agency" nice one! lol, what about the FOUR HIZBALA SUSPECTS WANTED not by a western security agency but BY A WORLD CIVIL COURT!! show us some heroism and arrest them!
15 May 2012, 23:52
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but sooo funny that hezb and all the others approved it! but when they felt the investigation was closing on them oh! it is politicized!
oh! it is no more syria and it s cronies (like aoun said remember FT? ah, yes i forgot you have a short memory...)
then who politicized it? hezb by wanting to be labeled as a poor victim as usual!!!
poor FT and his pimps... they are the poor victims! but still the army caught this guy but we are still waiting for the arrest of 4 suspects by an international court! double standards as usual with hypocrit M8...
15 May 2012, 23:01
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i hope people are supplying weapons to the FSA, no shame there, the shame is to support the butcher of syria.
15 May 2012, 23:03
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nice conspiracy theory, dude.. he was just a suni they arrested cause syria gave his name, they did not know it will blow up this much so now they are starting to create the feritales. How about arresting the 4 hizzie suspects wanted by a WORLD CIVIL COURT not an "agency"?!?!? why are people treated differently!? why the hypocrisy
16 May 2012, 00:21
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Because Abbbeeeeesss does not listen to the CIA.. Which is probably not a bad thing anyway..
16 May 2012, 01:16
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I don't see what's wrong with arresting criminals. It's sad to see how some Lebanese act like blind sheep. He's a criminal, he gets arrested, big deal. If your leader wants to defend terrorists, you don't have to bow to him, lick his shoes and repeat the same crap after him, that's pathetic.
And when your priority is dethroning Assad over arresting people who were planing terrorist attacks on Lebanese soil and against the Lebanese army, then please, return your Lebanese passport and go fie in Syria fighting Assad, that cause which is so dear to your heart, unless if you're just all talk and no action like a good puppet.
Seriously, pathetic.
16 May 2012, 19:56
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what was the 'crime' he committed again?? aiding the syrian refugees? meanwhile we do have names of 4 suspects who committed an atrocity in beirut in 2005 and they are roaming free. You can't treat people as 3rd class citizens, they will start their own mini countries just like hizbustan in da7iye
16 May 2012, 03:34
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Good job Mr. Abbas Ibrahim. Now repeat the feat and do the same with the 4 Hezb members that also belong to a terrorist organization that has murdered a PM and mmaybe others.
16 May 2012, 07:43
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Wow! So you think the people of Tripoli want to sell drugs to those poor peasants revolting in Syria?
16 May 2012, 15:37
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Flame thrower soon to be electricity payer . What major crime has Lebanon ever solved??
16 May 2012, 19:58
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im really curious as to what "crime" did mawlawi committ?? there is no crime, i dont know ther guy but i am sure this was just another name wanted by the syrians that their slaves in lebanon arrested for them. The only evidence is that he is very active in helping the syrian refugees and they wanted to make an example of him. Get your facts straight.
16 May 2012, 20:04
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anonymetexasusa, Nope not true, I'm sure you know the saying "innocent till proven guilty"...What I am saying is ALL convicted criminals should be punished and ALL wanted persons should be arrested. The point is 'NO FAVORTISM and NO SELECTIVE Punishment" that is the problem. Hizb and Amal etc..get away with murder and are not arrested or prosecuted, even the PFM Karam the Israeli spy is out of prison...The law is only being implemented against part of the population and that is causing hatred, friction and armed conflicts.
