U.S. Names ex-Minister Samaha 'Global Terrorist'
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
The United States on Monday named former information minister Michel Samaha a "specially designated global terrorist" for allegedly aiding the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad to launch attacks in Lebanon.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury issued a statement saying that Samaha, pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13441 which targets persons "undermining Lebanese sovereignty, including those who are supporting attempts by the Assad regime to incite violence inside Lebanon", is now a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under E.O. 13224.
Samaha, was arrested on August 9 by Lebanese authorities and accused of plotting to assassinate leaders and of transporting explosives into the country for such attacks, the U.S. Treasury said.
"The United States will continue to expose any attempts by the Assad regime to meddle in the affairs of its neighbors and further destabilize the region," said Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David Cohen.
"We will continue to work with our international partners to ensure that the sovereignty of Lebanon is respected and upheld."
Samaha was officially listed as a "global terrorist" by the U.S. State Department, and the Treasury slapped economic sanctions on him that freeze any assets he holds under U.S. jurisdiction and forbids Americans from doing business with him.
The Treasury said Samaha "reportedly" received the explosives he is accused of transporting from Ali Mamluk, the head of the Syrian National Security Bureau.
"Information available to the U.S. government indicates that in July 2012 Mamluk was involved in a plot with Samaha to conduct bombing attacks against Lebanese political and religious figures in northern Lebanon, and Mamluk provided money and explosives to Samaha for that purpose," the Treasury said.
17 December 2012, 16:22
122
hang samaha for all i care, but the irony here is too much:
"The United States will continue to expose any attempts by the Assad regime to meddle in the affairs of its neighbors and further destabilize the region," said Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David Cohen."
how nice and considerate from mister cohen, but who will expose the attempts by the US to meddle in the whole world's affairs?
17 December 2012, 16:23
112
"We will continue to work with our international partners to ensure that the sovereignty of Lebanon is respected and upheld."
really? what a good news! are you going to tell israel to stop violating our airspace and operating a network of spies and agents in lebanon?
17 December 2012, 19:07
72
Really??? Do you know any government since Nazi Germany who has been more involved in assassinations than the US government???
17 December 2012, 16:27
311
Hang that Farsi Syrian traitor and not waste a bullet on him...He should not be buried on Lebanese soil...his body should be sent to Damascus to be buried with his master Bachar...
17 December 2012, 16:51
93
The Zionist controlled American foreign policy is so stupid and full of themselves. Throughout history empires became arrogant and then former empires. The fact that it calls HA and Hamas (and PFLP) terrorist organizations have only brought more support to those resisting the blood thirsty Israeli/American enemy throughout the region. Why is this news story a top headline at NAHARNET? If (this idiot) Samaha is ever released from Jail, would he really be suffering for not being able to visit Disney World?
17 December 2012, 16:53
00
hang all traitors and collaborators who dealt with the syrian regime during his occupation of lebanon
17 December 2012, 17:09
38
They should also name the co-conspirators in the case as terrorists too. Those who protecct the killers of Hasan should also be named. Why do the Hezz block the communications data in the Hasan case????? One can only wonder why!!
17 December 2012, 17:48
62
LOL still defending the FSI request to get ALL exchanged messages in all of Lebanon over 2 months?
not only is the request ridiculously exaggerated and tramples on all lebanese people's privacy, but since when do world-class agents communicate via sms?
you're either very candid or very biased, either way you're in no position to decide whether or not the FSI can infringe on our privacy, and FYI, it's the judiciary who takes (and took) the decision.
17 December 2012, 17:12
34
Yep big john, they are terrorist and assasins and are probably behind every assasination in lebanon. You are free to accuse isreal or the begians or the kenyans, but over here, for people who are in the know, we are very well aware of who moves in the shadows..
And your ranting about america and zionist is really getting old
17 December 2012, 17:41
62
This article is not about Samaha. It is about the US blacklisting Samaha. What Samaha did or did not do...he is innocent unless proven guilty IN LEBANON. The US is not the Judge, Jury, and the prosecution even though it acts like one. This article is about the arrogance of the US and the stupidity of their "blacklisting" which I originally commented on.
17 December 2012, 18:21
33
The last concern of the US is Lebanon. Israel is their prime interest. When Bashar was butchering and raping and stealing the Lebanese, he was their favorite. When Saddam was standing against Iran, he was their favorite. Then at the end, all the real and true love, showed its true color. Anytime the US says they are concerned about Lebanon, meaning don't be surprised if a disaster happens, because we are planning one.
17 December 2012, 18:30
33
"What Samaha did or did not do...he is innocent unless proven guilty IN LEBANON.
same concept applies to sakr i guess!
17 December 2012, 18:30
12
"What Samaha did or did not do...he is innocent unless proven guilty IN LEBANON.
same concept applies to sakr i guess!
17 December 2012, 17:53
13
Buddy samaha himself admitted he did it. I mean i dont understand where you are going with this? What do you want us to do? tell samaha no you are innocent even when HE is admitting to it.
17 December 2012, 18:43
32
I think what Samaha said in his testimony was revolting. I will not have any tears for him if he is given maximum punishment (after a full investigation is conducted). I never liked him when he was a Phalangist and later when he became pro-Syrian. Again, this article is about the American behavior...not Samaha.
17 December 2012, 18:01
14
Ok, great. He's a global terrorist. That solves our problems...
17 December 2012, 18:03
01
come on bigjohn your comment is totally irrelevant. When the guys was caught on a camera delivering bombs from Syria and his voice was recorded saying which kind of crowds he wants to bomb, there is no shadow of a doubt anymore on how guilty he is. When intelligence is so strong, government and people can consider Smaha the enemy of state and of course he has right to defend himself in court and eventually be cooperative and maybe get a life sentence for grand treason. You and Mowaten are mistaken when you use term innocent till proven guilty. When proofs are strong, and crime is so heinous, government needs no further proofs to act. In your analogy, US government show have done nothing after September 11, you wanted the all mighty USA to wait to capture Bin Laden, and him confessing and court send him to jail before they would have attacked the Taliban? Your logic is very twisted and only serves to defend the impossible
17 December 2012, 18:09
35
As much as I dislike (for the least) Samaha, the guy wasnt judged in Lebanon or by an international tribunal. And although he was caught with his hand in the cookie jar several months ago, I find this classification of him as global terrorist ( which is most likely justified ) today rather disturbing. It raises some questions.
17 December 2012, 18:10
01
your problems only will be solved within "inyourface". How long would it take us to be all looking for better future for our kids? why do you wnat to outsource future of Lebanon To Michel aoun, Amine Jemail and Nabil Berri. Why do you vote for same crap every-time? guys we all need a swift change in culture, where people stand for values not for corrupt leaders. didn't you guys had enough? why such a educated and smart individuals are such a failure and joke as one nation... why is your leader always right and other guy is a traitor? WAKE UP, only corrupt people would vote for these kind of corrupt politicians. I have a friend of mine who is seriously wishing that would accumulate a billion dollars from corruption so he can stand to Hariri's money, is this kind of logic that build our country?
17 December 2012, 18:34
01
really? what a good news! are you going to tell israel to stop violating our airspace and operating a network of spies and agents in lebanon?
your concerned about israel Violating our airspace ya mouwateh ??
But you do not mind defending a regime that slaughtered thousands of lebanese?Ma fhemneha hayde Faserlna.
17 December 2012, 19:06
02
Wasn't it said that a society is judged by the quality of its justice?
17 December 2012, 19:08
23
I love the type of people who are always finding double standards in america, but just look the other way when any other country does them. America is not perfect, but its the nearest thing to perfect, and to quote your little idol chomsky, its the freeist counrty in the world.
17 December 2012, 19:31
42
Chomsky never said that the US is the freeist country? I think you are confusing this great intellectual with the pretty airheads on Fox news. The US has the lowest income inequality in the former colonial countries, and the top 1 percent almost totally owns and controls everything that happens in the country.
I am not talking about the US internal policies and how until the 1 960's persons of the wrong color had to sit in the back of the bus. I am talking about US foreign policy and how The blood thirsty American empire has invaded more countries and killed more persons since Nazi Germany.
18 December 2012, 00:30
41
Well then, Obama and every past US president should be labeled as global terrorists due to the fact the Americans are responsible for many murders outside its borders and meddling in every country in the world. Americans have a legal team of executionists CIA!!
18 December 2012, 02:31
13
Assassinations have always been carried out with impunity in Lebanon; and always without culprits. The Samaha case is a rare one whereby a murderer is apprehended, and best of all before he can perpetrate the crime! The response to this rare victory for Lebanese justice: the murder of Wissam Al-Hassan. Samaha should be prosecuted with the full weight of Lebanese law. If outside forces view him as a useful tool (Syria) or as a terrorist(US)is inconsequential.
18 December 2012, 03:00
12
Yes he did, Noam Chomsky interviewed by Vincent Navarro, on vnavarro.org, July 18, 2008.. Chomsky said "yes, the United States is a very free country, in fact it’s the freest country in the world."
Decidents like chomsky in america are protected by the constution and are allowed to move freely.. Dissedents in iran syria china russia arab world are periodically arrested and liquedated.
People of the wrong color sitting in the back of the bus now rule america, it says a lot to america capacity to regenerate..
18 December 2012, 03:28
41
Starsky, when you say "in fact it's the freest county in the world"
Do mean like the "patriot act" which was a copy & paste of "hitler's"
Reichstag Fire Decree and Enabling Act? where every citizens rights & privacy is no more, but in fact belongs to the state. The Gov is allowed to wire your phone & internet, even place hidden cameras throughout your home or business, place tracking devices in your vehicle & of course have a micro chip in your passport so they now your every movement. Oh & if you add to all that the 20 mil homeless, some1 is shot every 8 seconds, A home invasion every 3 minutes, No medical assistance to the poor. Damn if this is your freedom, Please give me dictatorial rule.
18 December 2012, 05:38
21
Before you defile yourself, Learn to not make false accusations.
1. When did I ever say I support Assad? In fact it was we who were calling for Assad to leave Lebanon whilst you & your criminal Leader Geagea helped them attack Lebanese. So I would put it to you & your criminal leader are the true supporters of Assad, but his power has diminished so you both are suddenly anti-Assad.
2. I have nothing to fear as I live in Australia, ac ountry that does endorse freedom you ignorant inbred. 3. 20 million homeless, a person is shot every 8 seconds, home invasions every 3 minutes, the poor receiving no medical attention, doesn't help if you play in the street all day. Learn to post with reasonable debate, don't copy your criminal master & attack without any thought or rational reasoning. Pftt @ Non linguistic posters.
18 December 2012, 05:41
02
its very simple Roar. all you have to do is see the long lines of visa applicants from all over the world looking to immigrate to the US, from Iran, Russia, China and every other country you can think off. I dont know but maybe the picture you've painted of the US is not alltogether correct? They dont seem to agree with you..
18 December 2012, 06:03
22
Don't get me wrong Starsky, The USA is a gr8 country with a wonderful tolerance for immigrants. I am not anti US, in fact the US are our allies. The subject was your post as to the freest country. Well the Patriotic act has removed all civil liberties, hence your post was incorrect.
