Samaha designated on US terror list

Washington declared its designation of Former Lebanese Minister Michel Samaha on the terror list.        

Samaha was arrested on Thursday 9th of August by the Internal Security Forces’ Information Branch on suspicion of involvement in a plot to carry out terrorist attacks in Lebanon in collaboration with Syria.                         


Recordings of a conversation which allegedly took place between Jamil Sayyed and Samaha whilst driving back from Syria with the explosive devices were found inside Samaha's car. These recordings act as a major component in the case of Sayyed's possible involvement.                     


He was charged on Aug. 11 alongside Syrian National Security Bureau head Ali Mamlouk and a Syrian army officer identified as Brig. Gen. Adnan with plotting to assassinate political and religious figures in Lebanon and carry out terrorist attacks by the government’s deputy commissioner at the Military Tribunal.          


The three men were accused of planning to incite sectarian clashes through terrorist attacks in North Lebanon during the Eid using explosives that Samaha allegedly transported to Lebanon and stored after taking possession of them from Mamlouk and Adnan.