Mikati briefed on results, holds talks with Connelly

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati was briefed on the results of Former Minister Michel Samaha’s preliminary investigation results by Acting General Prosecutor Judge Samir Hammoud early Friday. Accordingly Mikati requested that investigations take their full course until the entire picture is revealed so that “justice can take its course”. 

Later in the day Mikati contacted Justice Minister Shakib Kortbawi asking him to request from the General Prosecutor the thorough continuation of investigations pertaining to Samaha’s case, whereby the end results would be forwarded to the concerned Judiciary. 

Earlier, Justice Minister Shakib Kortabwi confirmed that he had no prior knowledge of the arrest of former Minister Michel Samaha.  In contrast to  information mentioned above concerning Mikati's knowledge of the preliminary investigation results. Kortbawi confirmed to LBCI that no one, including him, will be briefed on the course of investigations before they are made public.

Kortbawi confirmed that investigations should remain confidential, stressing that Samaha’s arrest did not respect formalities applied to the detention of citizens. He explained that the case rests with the judiciary, calling for an end to “media trials”.

The minister stressed that pre-trial detention lasts for 48 hours and could be extended by another 48 hours after which the detainee is referred to the judiciary. Samaha was arrested on Thursday over involvement in explosion plots targeting northern regions in Lebanon.

In a similar event,  Mikati also received the  Director General of Internal Security Forces Major General Ashraf Rifi who was briefed on the work of the security forces' arrest in the case Samaha and surrounding circumstances.

Mikati praised the work of the internal security forces, saying that the current stage requires the intensification of the efforts of security forces to protect the country's stability. 

On the other hand, Mikati met  with U.S. Ambassador Mora Connelly at the Grand Serail to discuss the latest developments on the domestic arena and regionally. Connelly left without making any statements.