Syrian rebels capture false witness for Lebanon tribunal Hussam Hussam

A Syrian national who recanted his testimony of the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was arrested by Syrian rebels, with his captors promising to hand him over to his son, former Prime Minister Saad Hariri, in a video posted on YouTube Sunday. “We, from the Storming of Damascus Brigade, were able with the help of God to arrest Hussam Hussam yesterday (Saturday),” a speaker in the YouTube video said. The man was surrounded by gunmen and 36-year-old Hussam sat on his left. Hussam said in the footage that he was arrested by members of the Free Syrian Army on the Mezzeh highway in Damascus. Asked by the speaker whether he had information on the assassination of Rafik Hariri, Hussam said: “Just let me reach Beirut and I will reveal surprises that you have never dreamed of.” Addressing Saad Hariri, the speaker said: “In my name and the name of the revolutionaries of Damascus and Syria, we will send you a gift, that is Hussam Hussam.” Hussam gave a testimony in 2005 to the U.N. International Independent Investigation Commission which was probing the assassination of the former statesman. He said that Syrian and Lebanese security chiefs were involved in the bombing that claimed the lives of Rafik Hariri and 22 others. A few months later, Hussam held a news conference in Damascus, recanting his testimony and lashing out at Saad Hariri and the March 14 coalition. The Hezbollah-led March 8 coalitiondubs Hussam along with Mohammad Zuheir al-Siddiq and others as “false witnesses” who have mislead the international investigation into Hariri’s assassination.