Bassil: Some March 14 Members Assisting Qaida-Affiliated Groups
Energy Minister Jebran Bassil stated on Thursday that al-Qaida has infiltrated Lebanon under the guise of various groups, such as Fatah al-Islam and Jund al-Sham.
He said during a press conference: “The president and prime minister know this, as does the March 14 camp and some of its members even sympathize and assist these groups.”
“The army has paid the price of these groups and the defense minister’s statements on al-Qaida are not an analysis, but tangible information,” he added.
“Whoever sympathizes with these groups will be held accountable for his positions,” continued the minister.
Bassil accused the terrorist groups of seeking to target high-ranking army officials, including Brigadier General Francois al-Hajj.
Hajj was assassinated in a car bomb attack in Baabda on December 12, 2007.
Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn stated a few weeks ago that al-Qaida had infiltrated the Bekaa town of Arsal.
He made his statements shortly before twin bombings took off in the Syrian capital Damascus.
Syria accused al-Qaida of being behind the attack.
The March 14 camp has criticized Ghosn’s remarks, saying that he is seeking to drag Lebanon into the Syrian crisis and tarnish the country’s image.
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