Ghosn: remarks not based on speculation, but well-founded information

Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn voiced surprise on Monday over the smear campaign against him, following his remarks on the infiltration of members from Al Qaeda.

“My remarks were not based on speculations, analyses or conclusions, but information we had access to and thought that should be made available to the public opinion. My remarks were a bid to draw attention to the real dangers threatening Lebanon and hold all concerned parties responsible”, Ghosn said in a statement.  

Ghosn expressed regret over the sectarian aspect attributed to his statements. The defense minister added that some made it sound as if he was targeting a certain sect, undermining the dignity of a Lebanese village and second-guessing its patriotism through linking the village with acts of terrorism.   

Ghosn urged his detractors to end their attempts to shake the trust he shares with the residents of Arsal or any other Lebanese village for political purposes known to all.

A few days ago, Ghosn warned that Al-Qaeda members had entered Lebanon through the north Lebanon border village of Arsal under the guise of Syrian refugees.