Charbel: No Al Qaeda base in Lebanon, will not sign Orthodox proposal

Interior Minister Marwan Charbel reiterated on Friday his denial to claims on the presence of Al Qaeda members in Lebanon, explaining that Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn’s remarks were interpreted politically.   

 “Lebanon may be a corridor, not a base, for Al Qaeda,” he added.    

During a press conference, Charbel said that the cabinet’s greatest  achievement was the apprehension of 11 people, of Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian nationalities, that perpetrated 122 crimes across various Lebanese regions.    

Commenting on the electoral law, Charbel said that proportional representation is still under review by the cabinet, “however, there are now other priorities under discussion, such as the budget issue.”    

 The interior minister also confirmed that he will not sign the Orthodox Gathering’s proposal regarding the electoral law.      

As for the Syrian issue, Charbel stressed the need to avoid intervention in the Syrian affairs on one hand, and control the border with Syria on the other hand.

“The Red Cross has transferred 130 injured Syrians to hospitals across Lebanon”, he added.