Report: Granting Security Agencies Telecom Data Facilitates Maintaining Security

A decision by the cabinet to extend granting security forces the telecom data after the consecutive security incidents that rocked Lebanon will have a positive affect on safeguarding the country during the delicate stage it's passing through, local newspapers reported on Friday.

“Handing over the telecommunications movement... activates preventive security,” a security source told An Nahar newspaper.

The source hailed the decision, describing it as of “great significance” amid the consecutive developments in the region as it will lead to tracking all those plotting and involved in security breaches in the country.

“Security forces are joining efforts to resolve Arsal incident, which no one wants it to widen,” the source added.

A recent deadly ambush on an army patrol in the Bekaa town of Arsal left Major Pierre Bashaalani and Adjutant Ibrahim Zahraman and Khaled Hmayyed, a suspect wanted on terrorism charges, dead.

The army has sealed off all the entrances to Arsal and brought in reinforcements as part of measures aimed at arresting more members of an armed group that targeted the patrol.

During a cabinet session at the Grand Serail on Wednesday Prime Minister Najib Miqati said that it falls within his jurisdictions to decide whether to grant the security agencies the complete telecom data or not.

The decision came in light of two requests by Internal Security Forces chief Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi and Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji to obtain the telecom data.

The government agreed to implement article 140 pertaining to wiretapping, which specifies the protection of communication data, granting security agencies the right to acquire the content of specific calls during specific times if a request was filed.