Mashnouq Says to Discuss with Moqbel, Rifi Implementation of Decision on Wanted Lists

Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq said that he will hold talks with Defense Minister Samir Moqbel and Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi to implement a cabinet decision to abolish lists of wanted individuals.

In remarks to pan-Arab daily al-Hayat published on Tuesday, al-Mashnouq said his meeting with Moqbel, who is also the deputy PM, and Rifi will come after the Eid al-Fitr holidays, which end on Wednesday.

The meeting is aimed at discussing ways to implement a decision taken by the cabinet last Thursday to abolish the lists that are the result of material gathered from informants, he said.

The lists date back to the period when the country was under Syrian hegemony.

The interior minister added that he will discuss with Moqbel and Rifi additional steps to implement stricter security measures in the eastern Bekaa Valley and a new plan to safeguard Beirut.

The government launched in March a security plan to restore law and order in the northern city of Tripoli and areas in the eastern Bekaa Valley bordering Syria.

Al-Mashnouq has promised to implement a similar plan in Beirut.