Wahhab: Campaign against Syrian embassy to distract attention from terrorist networks

Source: nowlebanon.com, 19-10-2008

Lebanese Unification Movement (LUM) leader and former minister, Wiam Wahhab, said during a meeting with a delegation of women from the LUM on Sunday that American weapons and
delegations to Lebanon would lead nowhere.

"What benefits and protects Lebanon is the courageous decision taken by President Michel Suleiman, and implemented today by the Lebanese army, regarding coordination between Lebanon and Syria, which have common interests and [face] common dangers and threats," he said.

Wahhab said that the "intentional chaos" surrounding the establishment of Lebanese-Syrian diplomatic ties was related to the "terrorist networks" arrested by the Lebanese security forces.
Wahhab congratulated the army, army commander and security forces for their efforts in arresting members of these networks.

"It seems that the aim of this intensified campaign today, whether it is against [Change and Reform bloc leader MP] General Michel Aoun's visit to Tehran or the establishment of a Syrian embassy in Lebanon, is to divert attention, especially as these terrorist networks are developing within a political atmosphere," he said, adding that these groups were associated in some places with the Future Movement.

Wahhab asked why assassinated former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was allowed to visit Iran to discuss private and public projects, as well as others who used to get money and support, but now a "friendly" visit was not allowed. He said that the atmosphere March 14 was trying to spread was financed by Arab states to increase tensions and "paralyze" dialogue, and it would not lead to peaceful elections in Lebanon.