Mashnouq Says Security 'Excellent', Hails Swift Arrest of Briton's Killer

Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq reassured Monday that the security situation in Lebanon is “excellent,” while hailing the Internal Security Forces over its swift arrest of a taxi driver accused of killing a female British embassy staffer.

“The security situation is excellent and the clearest example is the special achievement of the ISF and its Intelligence Branch, who arrested the killer of the British embassy employee only hours after the murder,” Mashnouq said.

He had earlier in the day lauded the “extraordinary efforts” of the ISF and the Intelligence Branch and their “special security achievement.”

“This achievement once again proves the high professionalism and skill that have characterized the ISF's work under the command of Maj. Gen. Imad Othman and the Intelligence Branch's work under the command of Colonel Khaled Hammoud,” the minister added.

“Such achievements reassure the Lebanese and prove that security is under control. They also strengthen the confidence of foreign authorities in the work of Lebanese security agencies,” Mashnouq said, emphasizing that Lebanese authorities are “very keen on preserving domestic stability and the safety of all foreigners residing on Lebanese soil.”

An ISF official has said the murder of the woman, identified as Rebecca Dykes, was a "criminal act" and was not politically motivated, adding that the suspect had confessed to the killing.

The official said authorities tracked the suspect through security cameras that showed his car driving from Beirut to the area where Dykes' body was found, just east of the Lebanese capital. He said the suspect, identified as a Lebanese Uber driver, was detained at his apartment.

A forensics official told The Associated Press that the woman was strangled with a rope and there were signs she was sexually assaulted. He also said that official examination reports can take up to four days.