Abadi: Israel chief beneficiary of Hasan’s killing

Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Ghazanfar Roknabadi said Tuesday Israel is the chief beneficiary of Brig. Gen. Wissam al-Hasan's killing. “The biggest beneficiary of such operation is the Zionist enemy,” said Roknabadi following a meeting with Interior minister Marwan Charbel. A statement issued by Charbel’s press office said Roknabadi paid him a visit at his office in the ministry to offer him condolences over Hasan’s death. “I offered condolences over Hasan’s killing on behalf of the Iranian republic which fiercely condemns such a terrorist attack,” Roknabadi said. Asked if Iran and Syria also benefit from Hasan’s killing, Roknabadi said “Hasan played a key role in uncovering Israel’s spy network in Lebanon, and thus he was a milestone to the resistance.” Roknabadi also said he hoped the situation in the country situation will return to normal after recent events. “We thank God for the presence of wise leadership in Lebanon that can pass this stage as soon as possible,” said Roknabadi. Also asked if Syria had an interest in killing Hasan after he uncovered the Samaha-Mamlouk plot to carry in explosives to Lebanon, Roknabadi said “these charges are not sure yet, and let us not rush into things.” ISF Information Branch chief Brig. Gen. Wissam al-Hasan, one of Lebanon’s most important security figures, was assassinated in a car bomb blast Friday that ripped through the crowded neighborhood of Ashrafieh. Hasan, 47, was known for his pivotal role in major security investigations Lebanon, including the probe into the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and the recent terrorism charges brought against former Information Minister Michel Samaha. Appointed head of the ISF Information Branch in 2006, Hasan was instrumental in building the department and spearheaded its major cases, which also included a massive operation to dismantle Israel’s spy networks in Lebanon. From DailyStar