Rifi Has ‘No Info’ on al-Qaida in Lebanon as Officials Seek to Turn Page on Ghosn’s Remarks
Internal Security Forces chief Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi stressed that he has “no information” about the presence of al-Qaida in Lebanon, an issue that has stirred controversy in the past week.
In remarks to al-Joumhouria daily published Saturday, Rifi said the ISF helps the Lebanese Army in controlling the border and combatting arms smuggling.
“The Intelligence Branch has no info about the infiltration of al-Qaida to Lebanon,” he stressed, saying its role lies in providing the Army Intelligence with all the information it needs.
Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn said last week that al-Qaida fighters had entered Syria from the eastern border town of Arsal. He also said that the terrorists were operating in the area under the guise of members of the Syrian opposition.
His remarks drew controversy with Premier Najib Miqati and Interior Minister Marwan Charbel denying the presence of al-Qaida in Lebanon.
But al-Liwaa newspaper quoted an informed source as saying that the Lebanese officials were seeking to contain the repercussions of Ghosn’s statements.
They said the minister’s remarks were not based on security reports. “They came at the behest of some Lebanese and not Syrian parties to employ them later on for political purposes that serve the regime in Syria.”
The Syrian regime blamed twin bombings in Damascus last week on al-Qaida.
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