Naharnet

Mashnouq: Lebanon Won’t be Dragged into Sedition, Hariri Won’t Back Down

Caretaker Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq stressed that Lebanon will not be dragged into sedition, ensuring the State’s adherence to its duties and Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri’s firm positions.

“Every military, corporal and officer in the Internal Security Forces is a hero in defending the state and law. (ISF) Maj. Gen. Imad Othman is the first of these elements. Colonel Khaled Hammoud, head of the Information Division is a first in national responsibility,” said Mashnouq in statement.

His remarks came in a statement against the backdrop of Saturday’s clash in the Chouf town of Jahliyeh that killed one person which ex-minister Wiam Wahhab blamed on Hariri and the security forces.

The Minister also praised State Prosecutor Samir Hammoud, he said: “Hammoud does not need a certificate of integrity. He acted upon a lawsuit on his table threatening civil peace."

As for the deceased, Mohammed Bou Diab, Mashnouq said “judicial investigations are being run to determine the responsibility,” adding that “the statement of the Internal Security Forces is based on clear inspection that Bou Diab was hit during random shooting by armed men in Jahliyeh that led to his eventual death.”

Linking the incident to attempts to pressure Hariri, Mashnouq affimed that “Hariri will not back down on his mission to form the government even if the pressure reached the mountain peaks."

However he stressed “we will not be dragged into sedition. What has been happening in Lebanon for months now are attempts to disrupt the formation of the government.”


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