Miqati: Samaha Arrested for Security Reasons, Not over STL
Prime Minister Najib Miqati stated on Thursday that former minister and MP Michel Samaha’s arrest was based on a judicial request.
He said: “The investigations with Samaha are linked to security issues, not the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.”
He did not elaborate on this point.
The premier will later receive a detailed report on the investigation, his visitors revealed.
The Internal Security Forces Intelligence Branch arrested former MP and cabinet minister Michel Samaha on Thursday morning "for security reasons," his wife and the acting general prosecutor said.
Samaha was arrested following raids on his houses in Beirut’s Ashrafiyeh district and the North Metn town of Jwar al-Khensahara.
On the government’s adoption of proportional representation for the parliamentary electoral law, Miqati said: “Proportionality does not eliminate any side, but it allows them all to take part in rule.”
“Parliament will have the final say on the division of electoral districts,” he added.
“The parliamentary elections will be held on time,” he stressed.
The government’s decision on Tuesday sparked the criticism of various March 14 officials and Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat.
The March 14 camp said that the new electoral law favors its rival March 8 camp.
Commenting on the kidnapping of the 11 Lebanese pilgrims, Miqati was quoted as saying by his visitors that the case has been politicized in order to launch a campaign against the government.
“It seems that the captives are being used for political purposes,” he noted.
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