WikiLeaks: Murr Describes Suleiman as a Coward and Conspirator during May 2008 Clashes

Defense Minister Elias Murr voiced his disappointment with the army’s performance during the May 7, 2008 clashes, describing then Army Commander Michel Suleiman as a coward, revealed a leaked U.S. Embassy cable dated May 13, 2008, published in al-Akhbar newspaper on Wednesday.

The WikiLeaks cable spoke of a meeting between Murr and then U.S. Charge d’Affaires Michele Sison during which the minister accused Suleiman of having had struck up a deal with Hizbullah in the May clashes.

“Hizbullah has Suleiman in its pocket,” he added.

Furthermore, Murr voiced his determination to stay true to the decisions regarding dismantling Hizbullah communications network and removing the head of airport security Wafiq Shuqeir, saying: “They would have to kill me before withdrawing Cabinet’s decisions” that sparked Hizbullah’s clashes in Beirut.

In addition, the minister predicted that disputes may erupt between army officers, especially Sunnis, over the army’s performance in Beirut where Hizbullah was allowed to take control of the predominantly Sunni city, said the cable.

Sison noted then U.S. Undersecretary of Defense Eric Edelman’s criticism to Suleiman over the army’s performance, “which could mean that the army is either being cautious or is a conspirator in the clashes.”

Murr agreed to the assessment, saying: “These are Suleiman’s rules: caution, cowardice, and conspiring.”