Samaha’s bodyguard, driver testify in bombings plot

Military Examining Magistrate Judge Riyad Abu Ghida heard on Tuesday the testimonies of ex-Minister Michel Samaha's bodyguard and driver over the bombing attacks plot. Bodyguard Ali Mallah and driver Fares Barakat, who were arrested for questioning on Aug. 9 and later released, testified to Abu Ghida on the transfer of explosives from Syria in an attempt to carry out bombings in northern Lebanon. Samaha’s lawyer Sakhr al-Hashem met with the former minister at the headquarters of the military police. Meanwhile, Abu Ghida summoned al-Joumhouria newspaper’s editorial director Charles Jabbour and manager Khalil Abu Antoun to hear their testimonies as witnesses for publishing the transcript of Samaha’s confessions. But the session was postponed to next Tuesday. Samaha was arrested by the Internal Security Forces Intelligence Branch during a raid on his house on Aug. 9. The former minister, Syrian National Security Bureau head Ali Mamlouk and a Syrian officer identified as Brig. Gen. Adnan were accused on Aug. 11 of plotting to assassinate political and religious figures in Lebanon and carry out terrorist attacks.