Three suspects who were arrested in connection with a string of bombings in Lebanon confessed Tuesday that a Syrian officer had attempted to hire them to plant explosives in Beirut and Mount Lebanon. The suspects also revealed the names of additional accomplices.
| Is this like a satire of the Godfather? Don Corleone with brain damage? What would have happened if Sonny had lived? |
 Acting Lebanese government delegate to the Military Tribunal, Jean Fahd said Tuesday that during questioning the three had confessed. They said former Syrian intelligence officer in Beirut Brigadier General Jamaa Jamaa, who they met through an unidentified third party, offered them money in exchange for dumping explosives in Beirut, particularly in the central district and at the entrances of the capital.
| Jamaa Jamaa's my nominee for the most unlikely name in the entire WoT. |
But the suspects said they did not follow the order, which they claimed was an attempt to delay the Syrian troop withdrawal under the pretext that Lebanon needed Syrian forces to maintain security and stability.
| We guessed that. Even the dumbasses guessed that. |
Security forces have already begun a search for the other collaborators, and the three suspects have been sent to the security forces, with their files, for further interrogation.
"Put these suckers on ice, Boutros. We'll be back with more in a little while."
"Right, chief! Awright! Into the paddy wagon wit' yez!" |
The suspects said they were hired to stir panic among citizens, who were preparing for the March 14 demonstration. A bombing would also create the need for a Lebanese Army blockade, which would stop the demonstration and reduce the number of visitors to the tomb of former Premier Rafik Hariri.
"Honey, let's not go down to the demonstations today. There's things exploding."
"Good idea, dear! What's playing at the movies?" |
Judicial sources said the confession did not uncover any concrete threads in the case. But security sources said a video broadcast on television about the recent clashes in the Taamir neighborhood between the disbanded Jund al-Sham Palestinian militia and Lebanese armed forces in Sidon contained a new lead. A Lebanese woman identified one of the armed men, who she said resembled the suspect who planted a bomb under a car in the Jeitawi area, in Achrafieh on September 16. According to the sources, the security forces immediately initiated a search for the suspect. |