Franjieh Defends Ghosn, Says the Campaign against him Targets the Army
Marada leader Suleiman Franjieh defended Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn over his statements on the presence of al-Qaida in Lebanon, saying
President Michel Suleiman and Premier Najib Miqati know that the information is true.
“What he (Ghosn) said is that some terrorists are infiltrating through the Syrian border and the cabinet adopted the decision of the defense minister,” Franjieh said in a press conference.
He said the army has reports about the presence of al-Qaida in the eastern border town of Arsal but slammed critics who are denying such information.
“The attack on the minister is an indirect attack on the military institution to hinder its role,” Franjieh said.
While saying that he backed the Syrian regime, Franjieh stressed that his movement wouldn’t take any step that would come at the expense of Lebanon.
Members of the March 14-led opposition had labeled Ghosn, who is loyal to Franjieh, as the defense minister of Syria, accusing him of waging a campaign of "disinformation."
The Marada leader also accused the Lebanese state of slackness. The army should take its responsibility on the matter, he said.
Franjieh indirectly criticized Miqati for covering up the alleged presence of al-Qaida in Lebanon. Miqati had said the military found no concrete evidence of the presence of the terrorist network or any other organized group in Arsal, a Sunni town.
He is trying to preserve his Sunni sect, the Marada chief said about the premier.
He also slammed Suleiman for seeking to save his reputation by trying to cover-up the issue.
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