General Security Slams Wahhab, Says Ibrahim's Visits to Syria under State's Authority

The General Security Directorate slammed on Friday criticism by Arab Tawhid Party leader Wiam Wahhab concerning the continuous visits by its chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim to foreign countries, in particular to Syria.

“Ibrahim cares to clarify that his visits to foreign countries and specifically to Syria fall under the state's authority, including President Michel Suleiman,” a communique issued by the General Security Directorate stressed.

Wahhab said in an interview on Thursday night with LBCI's Kalam Ennas talk show that Ibrahim is a close friend of Syrian Security Chief Maj. Gen. Ali Mamlouk, who is charged by the Lebanese judiciary along with former Information Minister Michel Samaha with forming a group to commit terrorist crimes in Lebanon.

The two were also charged with plotting to assassinate political and religious figures.

Wahhab said that Ibrahim holds weekly meetings with Mamlouk in Syria.

The General Security's statement pointed out that “these visits were to grant freedom to the Lebanese abducted in Syria” and to resolve the pending issues between the two countries.

The statement wondered “what their visits (those who are criticizing the head of the directorate) to Syria or other countries over the past decades helped resolve other than their personal interests.”

“The tasks carried out by the General Security Directorate and its productivity are not evaluated by (former) Minister Wahhab or others but only the competent Lebanese authorities and the Lebanese people.”

The statement continued: “The systematic blackmailing through cheap pens or by the exploitation of television programs will not benefit the personal interests of those people.”

“The General Security Directorate, since Ibrahim was appointed at its head, was keen not to reply to offenders or critics in the belief that engaging in verbal spats with anyone is useless,” the communique noted.