Jamil Sayyed: I believe Samaha’s character is of a pacifist nature

14^min

Major General Jamil Sayyed left the Military Court on Tuesday afternoon upon the completion of his testimony in Michel Samaha’s case. Sayyed testified before First Military Investigative Magistrate Riad Abou Ghida.

Following the hearing, Sayyed’s attorney Sakhr El Hachem confirmed Sayyed’s innocence with regards to the transfer of explosives, adding “he is now home and ready to reveal further details”. Hachem added that Sayyed testified as a witness, pointing out that the final decision will be issued by Judge Abou Ghida.

Upon Sayyed's arrival, he spoke to the media saying that the issue is of a judicial and security nature and will be dealt with accordingly.

He said that bringing witness Milad Kfoury to court cannot be avoided, adding "if the judiciary is truly impartial then it will reveal my innocence in the matter."

“I spoke my piece and Judge Abou Ghida received me as a witness”, he said adding that on the given day of his visit to Syria with Samaha, he was partaking in a condolences ceremony.

Asked if Samaha lured him, he said "my judgment of Samaha’s character leads me to believe that he is of a pacifist nature."

Exclusive sources earlier told LBCI that in the recordings, one sentence may be able to convict Maj. Gen. Sayyed. In it he allegedly says: “Jumblatt should be the first one to be killed”, he had said.

On Tuesday September 11, General Jamil Sayyed held a press conference in which he stated several positions on the latest events on the Lebanese scene.

Concerning the accusations in Former Minister Michel Samaha's case, Sayyed said: "Saying that I was in the vehicle with Samaha while transporting explosives alludes to an involvement".

He added that compromising between this case and the Syrian issue is a must knowing that Samaha's case is being approached in the same manner as late PM Rafic Hariri's assassination case.

Samaha, was arrested by the Internal Security Forces’ Information Branch on suspicion of involvement in a plot to carry out terrorist attacks in Lebanon in collaboration with Syria. Recordings of a conversation which allegedly took place between Sayyed and Samaha whilst driving back from Syria with the explosive devices were found inside Samaha's car. These recordings act as a major component in the case of Sayyed's possible involvement.

He was charged on Aug. 11 alongside Syrian National Security Bureau head Ali Mamlouk and a Syrian army officer identified as Brig. Gen. Adnan with plotting to assassinate political and religious figures in Lebanon and carry out terrorist attacks by the government’s deputy commissioner at the Military Tribunal.

The three men were accused of planning to incite sectarian clashes through terrorist attacks in North Lebanon during the Eid using explosives that Samaha allegedly transported to Lebanon and stored after taking possession of them from Mamlouk and Adnan.

For the full LBCI report, watch the video above

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