On August 30, Al Jazeera TV interviewed the chief of the Qatari-based station's Beirut bureau, Ghassan Bin-Jiddu, who said: "We can confirm from official Lebanese police sources that former security and even non-security officials have been arrested. We can also confirm that these arrests were made as a result of an official request by the UN inquiry commission [into the killing of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri]. Therefore, the arrests were not made upon an order from the Lebanese authorities or the Interior Ministry. The arrests were made upon an official request by the UN inquiry commission. The Lebanese police carried out this order. Official Interior Ministry sources told us that very prominent names in the former security forces have been arrested, including former Public Security Chief Staff Maj-Gen Jamil al-Sayyad, former Internal Police and Security Chief Maj-Gen Ali Hajj and former Intelligence Chief Raymond Azar. It ha! s also been reported that former non-security officials have been arrested, including deputy Nasser Qandil, who is known to be close to Syria."

Later on, Al Jazeera spoke with former Minister Adnan Addoum, who denied rumors that he was among those detained for questioning. He said: "As far as this rumour is concerned, it is unfounded. I am amazed because this story was reported without it being verified. Such reports hurt people's dignity, and it is impermissible to circulate such reports arbitrarily. The story is utterly groundless and baseless. I am amazed to see unfold so easily such a story which undermines the dignity and honor of the judiciary. That is why I wanted to deny this story, which is unfounded. ...

"I do not want to talk about the others; I just wanted to talk regarding this topic. I only want to say that I read a screen caption to this effect on your television station; I highly respect Al-Jazeera due to its large viewership. Therefore, I want to deny this story, which actually hurts us, hurts our dignity, hurts our judicial life and hurts our professional honor because of its seriousness. Such matters should not be approached without scrutiny, particularly when the person in question is a person who has spent a life time in the judiciary with the aim of promoting it and upholding justice."

When asked to comment on the likely impact the arrests will have on Lebanon, Addoum said: "I do not want to comment on this topic. I only want to talk about the rumour that concerned me. It is the current justice minister who is in a better position to explain this matter to you."

In a related development, the website of the Lebanese National News Agency reported on August 30 that former MP Nasser Qandil arrived at the Lebanese-Syrian border post of Al-Masna, where he delivered the following statement:

"We are personally concerned about presenting an answer to any question that contributes to revealing the truth about the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Until now, there is nothing that has led us to be skeptical regarding the integrity and credibility of the work of the international investigation commission, in spite of our awareness that there are many attempts to implicate the commission in inserting false information in order to divert the investigations from their real course. Our response to that will be to appear before the commission and place what we know at its disposal." Qandil added: "I am on vacation in Damascus with my family, but as soon as I was informed, I suspended my visit and spoke with the commission's representative and informed him that I will be returning immediately and will be at the commission's disposal."

In response to a question, Qandil expressed surprise that he was summoned for questioning and said: "I am surprised. I am among the most surprised. Of course, I am linked to Syria through a political, ideological and a struggle relationship, which I take pride in, and I regret that Arab nationalism is the one 'sentencing' Lebanon." He added: "I hope that this is not the case." Qandil went on: "In any case, I cannot forestall matters. I would like to hear what the commission has to say and to place everything I know at its disposal in the spirit of responsibility, because the case of Rafik Hariri's assassination concerns us all."

Qandil was asked if the trial of Syria's allies has begun. He responded: "In politics, it is clear that Syria is being subjected to an oppressive campaign of fabrications and was subject to a campaign of hatred that resulted in the exit of its forces from Lebanon." Qandil added: "It is clear that Hariri's assassination is an attempt to assassinate Arabism in Lebanon, and we are confident that once the commission listens and seeks, it will be prepared to reveal the truth. I do not doubt its work because it only seeks the truth."

Qandil announced that he would contact the head of the international commission as soon as he arrives home in order to "set an appointment to visit the MonteVerde Hotel [headquarters of the international investigation commission]". He added: "I received a telephone call from my house this morning, when the investigator was there accompanied by the force that raided the house. Two hours later, I received another telephone call asking about my return schedule, and I immediately informed them that I am ready to return and suspend my visit."

Qandil was asked: "Did you receive any calls from Syrian or Lebanese officials?" He replied: "No Syrian official has contacted me and I have not heard anything from them or from the Lebanese officials. I was hoping to be contacted by the Lebanese side, similar to the call I received from the international investigator." With regard to his presence in Damascus, Qandil clarified that "he is working on a special file dealing with the 10th Baath Party Regional Conference in Syria," and added: "You are aware of the security conditions in Beirut. I have been in Syria with my family for the past three days and I entered Damascus across the military route." Regarding the possibility of his detention, Qandil said: "I do not fear rebuke in righteousness. I will say what I know, and may God grant me success." - Agencies, Middle East

Source: www.mideastwire.com