Gemayel Considers Assassination of Hasan an 'Open Confrontation' with Syrian Regime
Phalange Party MP Sami Gemayel considered on Saturday that Lebanon entered an open confrontation with the Syrian regime.
“We tried to disassociate our nation from the conflict in Syria, but the regime is challenging the Lebanese people once again by assassinating (ISF Intelligence Bureau head Brigadier General Wissam) al-Hasan,” Gemayel said.
He called on the Lebanese and officials to decide whether they support Lebanon or Syria.
“Ministers and MPs should take a firm stance, in particular, those who are centrists,” Gemayel.
“It's a battle between Lebanon and a foreign country that is violating its sovereignty and unity,” he added.
Gemayel called on the March 14 alliance to return as a “struggle movement” and not a political movement.
“The March 14 camp should safeguard the rights of the people and the Lebanese state. We will continue our struggle until we form a cabinet that is capable of protecting the Lebanese, the independence of the country and a one that can order the army to deploy along the Lebanese-Syrian border,” he said.
The MP called on supporters to heavily participate in the funeral of Hasan on Sunday.
General Hasan, killed on Friday in a car bombing, would be laid to rest in the mausoleum of Hariri, who was assassinated in 2005, Internal Security Forces chief Ashraf Rifi told al-Mustaqbal television earlier.
Under Hasan, the ISF played a central role in the August arrest of Lebanon's former information minister Michel Samaha, who has close links to Damascus. He was charged with planning attacks to spark sectarian strife in Lebanon.
The agency was also deeply involved in seeking the arrest of those responsible for a host of attacks and assassinations between 2005 and 2008, starting with the Hariri assassination, for which Hasan blamed Damascus.
In October 2010, the Syrian courts issued arrest warrants against 33 Lebanese figures, including General Hasan, for perjury in the case of the Hariri assassination.
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