Bulgarian PM Meets Miqati, Slams Claims Bulgarian Explosives Used in Hasan Assassination
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov condemned on Monday the assassination of Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau head Brigadier General Wissam al-Hasan on October 19 in Beirut's district of Ashrafiyeh.
Addressing claims that Bulgarian explosives were used in the blast, he said: “We condemn some sides' attempts to drag Bulgaria's name in the matter.”
He made his comments after holding talks with Prime Minister Najib Miqati in Bulgaria, who said that the Bulgarian government is conducting a professional investigation in July's Burgas airport in Bulgaria.
He stressed: “No accusation in the bombing will be made without sufficient evidence.”
Miqati added: “We condemn the bombing and all terrorist attacks that target civilians.”
He revealed that his talks with Bulgarian officials did not address the investigation.
Israel blamed Iran and Hizbullah for the July 18 suicide bus attack at the Black Sea airport of Burgas that killed five Israeli tourists and their Bulgarian driver and wounded more than 30 people.
The Pentagon said in July that there are signs that Hizbullah may have orchestrated the attack.
For his part, Borissov refused to comment on questions about Israel's accusations against Hizbullah, saying that each side is entitled to its opinion.
He said that Miqati's visit is not linked to the Burgas bombing, but it was aimed at tackling bilateral ties.
The Bulgarian prime minister stressed the importance of Lebanon's stability and preventing the Syrian crisis from spreading to it.
On the Syrian crisis, Miqati said that he explained to the premier Lebanon's policy of disassociation.
“The prime minister expressed his understanding of this policy. We do not intervene in the affairs of others and we hope the international community will understand this position,” he stressed.
During his trip, Miqati then telephoned Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev, who was abroad on a foreign tour, to discuss bilateral ties.
The premier then traveled to Hungary on a one-day official visit where he is scheduled to meet with President Janos Ader, Speaker Laszlo Kover, and PM Viktor Orban.
Miqati and his accompanying ministerial delegation are scheduled to return to Beirut on Tuesday night.
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