Mashnouq: Our Political Camp Curbed Spread of Terrorist Ideology in Sunni Community

Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq declared Sunday that his political camp has managed to curb “the spread of the terrorist ideology in the Sunni community” as he started a four-day visit to the United States.

“Our political camp has managed to curb the spread of the terrorist ideology in the Sunni community and the myth of the 'incubator environment' has ceased to exist,” Mashnouq said during a Washington meeting with experts and researchers from prominent Middle East think tanks.

He said the perceived achievement was reached due to his camp's reliance on “the legitimacy resulting from the assassination of martyr premier Rafik Hariri.”

“We are relying on the experience of the martyr of moderation, and ex-PM Saad Hariri – with the symbolism he represents as the son of the martyr of moderation -- can confront all these challenges,” the minister added.

Separately, Mashnouq reassured that “dialogue with Hizbullah has achieved progress,” as he noted that “the election of a president is a regional issue.”

“Dialogue can definitely be a gateway for a settlement, but it must be accompanied by an appropriate regional situation,” he pointed out.

State-run National News Agency said Mashnouq's visit will tackle the issues of “combating terrorism, protecting Lebanon from the blazes surrounding it, and the assistance that can be offered by the U.S. to Lebanon and the Lebanese security agencies – especially in terms of boosting the technical capabilities and training.”

The minister is scheduled to meet with U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson, Deputy Secretary of State Tony Blinken, the U.S. president's Homeland Security Advisor Lisa Monaco, a number of congress members, and Anne C. Richard, Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration.

His visit will also involve meetings with top security officials topped by FBI director James Comey, CIA director John Brennan and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper.

The minister is accompanied by al-Mustaqbal bloc MP Bassem al-Shab and a senior security delegation.

Y.R.