Mashnouq Says Did Not Hint at Hizbullah Link to al-Hassan Assassination
Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq noted Wednesday that he did not hint in his latest speech at a Hizbullah link to the 2012 assassination of Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau chief Wissam al-Hassan.
“Had I meant Hizbullah, I would have named it … We won't announce anything before the completion of the investigation in a full manner based on evidence that is not subject to doubt,” Mashnouq said in an interview on al-Jadeed TV.
The minister had on Saturday revealed that “we're on the verge of unveiling the truth” behind al-Hassan's assassination. He also rejected that security plans be implemented “on a part of the Lebanese as the other part enjoys partisan immunity,” in an apparent jab at Hizbullah.
The remarks sparked controversy on the political scene, drawing many responses, the last of which was from Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil, who said Wednesday that “we cannot speak of security plans in the country -- not in the North, Bekaa or any other region – while we can't carry out a security plan at the Roumieh prison.”
“We have the courage to escalate when we want to escalate and we have several cards in our hands, but the time now is not appropriate for that,” Mashnouq explained, noting that his statement was aimed at “rectifying the course of the security plan.”
The minister stressed that he did not mean to condemn or accuse any party but rather to “open the door of dialogue in order to put the security plan on the right track.”
Turning to the issue of the recent clashes between Hizbullah and Syrian militants on the border, Mashnouq said “no one dares” to say what he said in his speech “regarding the situation on the border or the terrorist groups there,” underlining that he is responsible for “the security of all Lebanese.”
He also pointed out that “consensus” is possible over Hizbullah's role in defending the eastern border.
“The security situation in the country might require consultations about a role for Hizbullah in defending the border,” Mashnouq told al-Jadeed.
Y.R.
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