Lebanon denies terrorists disguised as Gulf tourists are infiltrating the country

Saeed Dhaher
For Al-Shorfa.com
2009-10-12

Lebanese Interior Minister Ziad Baroud denied rumours of terrorist infiltration. (Reuters)

Lebanese officials denied rumours that large numbers of Islamic militants have entered the country since August to conduct terrorist operations in Lebanon and other Arab countries. Their response followed a security investigation into reports that Gulf nationals who arrived as tourists have not left the country and have instead joined terrorist cells.

Interior Minister Ziad Baroud notified interim President Fouad Siniora of the outcome of the investigation, saying that there was “no truth to the claims.” Siniora insisted on the “need to identify the parties behind these damaging rumours. Their purpose is to hurt Lebanon’s reputation, and to undermine its economic security and the success of its tourist industry.”

A Central Internal Security Council statement insisted that all Arabs arriving in Lebanon in recent months “entered with legal visas. Those...who have remained in Lebanon are all, without exception, compliant with the time limits of their visas and the terms of tourist and business visits. The difference between the number of Arab arrivals and departures is negligible and no different than in previous years...The Directorate General of General Security carries out ongoing checks, including the verification of the names of all arrivals and their place of residence for the duration of their stay in Lebanon.”

Syria’s

Tourist Minister Elie Marouni responded to the reports, saying, “We would like to ask Syria’s

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