Prime Minister Najib Miqati contacted on Friday Internal Security Forces chief Ashraf Rifi to inquire about the details of the arrest of former minister and MP Michel Samaha.
He praised the ISF’s work, noting that the “current critical phase in Lebanon requires it to intensify its efforts to maintain security and stability.”
Full StoryOpposition MP Butros Harb stressed on Saturday that he will delay briefing the public about the details on the assassination attempt against him.
“I’ve already said that I will inform the public about the results of the investigation and I thought it would happen on Monday, but the probe requires few additional days to analyze the obtained information,” Harb told reporters after holding talks with Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji at his residence in Hazmieh.
Full StoryPresident Michel Suleiman slammed on Friday the assassination attempt against MP Butros Harb, condemning the return of “such incidents that only serve to create instability in Lebanon.”
He said after meeting the lawmaker at the Baabda Palace: “The security and legal authorities have received strict orders to work on uncovering the details of the case in order to reveal the perpetrators.”
Full StoryAdvanced technology that has never before been used was employed in the assassination attempt against MP Butros Harb, reported al-Joumhouria newspaper on Friday.
A security source told the newspaper that the explosive that was removed from the elevator shaft could have been placed in a manner that made it difficult to detect.
Full StoryU.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly praised on Wednesday the resumption of the national dialogue between Lebanese foes under the sponsorship of President Michel Suleiman.
According to a statement issued by the U.S. embassy, Connelly met with Suleiman at the Baabda Palace and lauded his efforts in re-launching the all-party talks “to strengthen the national unity and stability in Lebanon.”
Full StoryU.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly held talks on Tuesday with Internal Security Forces chief General Ashraf Rifi on the security situation in Lebanon, said the U.S. Embassy in a statement.
She expressed the United States’ dedication to assist the ISF to develop into a modern professional police force that serves and protects all of Lebanon’s citizens.
Full StoryU.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly expressed on Wednesday the United States’ appreciation for the efforts of the Internal Security Forces and Lebanese army to work together to maintain calm in Lebanon.
She emphasized after holding talks with ISF chief General Ashraf Rifi her country’s “concern for the current security situation in Lebanon and called on all parties to exercise restraint and respect for Lebanon’s security and stability.”
Full StoryPresident Michel Suleiman stressed on Tuesday that there are no dangers in Lebanon that can prevent Arab nationals from visiting the country.
He said: “Lebanon is keen on the safety of the visiting nationals.”
Full StoryFormer prime minister Saad Hariri on Tuesday commended Tripoli residents for their “awareness” that “foiled all attempts to drag the city into a new series of chaos and discord.”
“It also showed the adherence of the people of Tripoli to the project of the state and its institutions by refusing all attempts to lure them against the state, because they believe that such attempts harm the city and the unity of the whole nation,” Hariri said in a statement.
Full StoryInvestigators probing Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea’s assassination attempt have found new leads after residents of the town of Maarab informed them that several suspicious people had try to rent an apartment in the area last summer.
A security source told al-Mustaqbal daily published Tuesday the suspicious people, who hail from Maarab, sought to rent a house at the end of last summer but the suspects escaped when the residents informed security officials at Geagea’s residence about them.
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