Miqati: We Don’t Have Solid Evidence of Qaida Presence in Arsal

Prime Minister Najib Miqati wondered on Wednesday whether some Lebanese have connections with the actual al-Qaida terrorist group, saying that the organization’s name is being used in general terms and not in order to describe specific incidents.

He said before reporters: “We don’t have solid evidence that al-Qaida is present in Arsal.”

He made his comments in reference to Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn’s recent claims that the group had entered the Bekaa town and later infiltrated Syria.

The minister said that he had received some information of such a development, to which Miqati noted: “Talk of such information does not mean that they are actual facts.”

“Such a critical issue should not be addressed in a manner that may harm Lebanon,” stressed the premier.

The security authorities that have been charged to verify Ghosn’s allegations will provide the Lebanese with the truth in the matter, he added.

“The army is doing its utmost in protecting the border with Syria,” he stated.

Asked about the difference in position between the defense minister and Interior Minister Marwan Charbel on the al-Qaida allegations, he remarked: “This is not the first time that differences in opinion have been made.”

“This is best evidence that the government is not one-sided as some sides had repeatedly asserted,” Miqati continued.

Charbel had stated on Sunday that he had no information on the presence of al-Qaida members in Arsal, while Ghosn had said that he has information, but not enough evidence.

On Beirut MPs’ demands for the establishment of an arms-free Beirut, the prime minister said: “This issue requires a military mechanism and political consensus in order to be implemented.”

“The government alone is not capable of achieving this goal,” he stressed.

A delegation of Beirut MPs held talks on Tuesday with Miqati on the need to establish an arms-free Beirut.

MP Ammar Houri revealed after the meeting that the premier had requested the concerned security forces to devise a plan on achieving this goal.

The MPs had held a meeting on December 19 criticizing the security situation in Lebanon and blaming the instability for the widespread possession of arms among the people.