U.S. Urges Lebanon to Ensure Transparency in Samaha's Case

The United States called Monday on Lebanon to ensure transparency in any action against former minister Michel Samaha, fearing a spread of violence from neighboring Syria.

Samaha was arrested on Thursday and a Lebanese judge has accused him and Syria's security chief, General Ali Mamlouk, of planning sectarian killings and explosions in the North.

U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said she could not comment on the accusations but reiterated concern over "the ethnic tensions inside Syria spilling over into Lebanon."

"So we want to see Lebanese authorities work well together and work well with Lebanese defense forces to address any spillover," Nuland told reporters.

"Obviously any court procedures should proceed in an open, transparent manner that respects international standards," she said.

Samaha is close to Syrian President Bashar Assad's embattled regime. Mamlouk was appointed on July 24 as Syria's new head of national security in a shake-up after a bombing killed four top generals.