France Voices Concern over Samaha’s Alleged Confessions, Hopes Judiciary Will Reveal Truth
The French Foreign Ministry voiced its concern on Friday with the alleged confessions of former minister and MP Michel Samaha, saying that they are “exceptionally dangerous”.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Vincent Floriani: “We hope the Lebanese judiciary would reveal the truth in the case.”
He renewed France’s commitment to combatting terrorism and maintaining Lebanon’s stability and security.
In addition, he hoped that the results of the investigation in attacks against the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and attempted assassinations of MP Butros Harb and Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea would be revealed.
The Internal Security Forces Intelligence Branch arrested Samaha on Thursday morning "for security reasons," the acting general prosecutor said.
Samaha was arrested following raids on his houses in Beirut’s Ashrafiyeh district and the North Metn town of Jwar al-Khenshara.
LBCI and MTV reported that the former minister confessed to planning bombings that would have been carried out during Ramadan iftars in northern Lebanon.
"Samaha confessed to smuggling explosives in his car from Syria to Lebanon," reported LBCI.
Samaha is known for his pro-Syrian regime views and media reports say he served as an advisor to Syrian President Bashar Assad. He was among several pro-Syrian Lebanese officials who were sanctioned in 2007 by the United States for “contributing to political and economic instability in Lebanon.”
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