Qabbani Condemns Hasan Assassination: Those behind it and Benefit from it are Known
Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani condemned on Saturday the assassination of Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau head Brigadier General Wissam al-Hasan, saying it is aimed at creating strife in Lebanon.
He said during a televised address: “The goals of the crime are very clear and it is well-known who will benefit from it.”
He credited Hasan for uncovering a number of criminal plans in Lebanon, stressing that he “protected Lebanon's national fabric in order for the country to remain one of moderation and justice.”
“He was a loyal friend to slain former Premier Rafik Hariri and he was very dedicated to his country,” he remarked.
The mufti called on the Lebanese people to exercise restraint and wisdom, urging all political and security authorities to speed up efforts in order to uncover those behind the crime.
“The criminals will be discovered sooner or later,” declared Qabbani.
“Hasan's blood and that of all the martyrs will not be wasted,” he stressed.
Hasan was killed on Friday in a car bomb in Beirut's Ashrafiyeh district.
Conflicting reports emerged over the number of dead in the blast with some sides putting the figure at three and others at eight.
At least a hundred people were wounded in the explosion.
Hasan was close to former Prime Minister Saad Hariri and hostile to the regime in Syria. He had been tipped to take over as ISF head at the end of this year.
The ISF played a central role in the arrest in August of former Minister Michel Samaha, who has close links to Damascus and was charged with planning attacks in Lebanon and transporting explosives in collaboration with Syrian security chief Maj. Gen. Ali Mamlouk.
Hasan also played a central role in the investigation in Rafik Hariri's murder in February 2005, as well as uncovering Israeli espionage networks and terrorist cells in Lebanon.
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