Franjieh distorted the facts
Lebanese Forces MP Farid Habib issued a press release responding to Marada Leader Sleiman Franjieh’s Wednesday press conference. Habib said that Franjieh was manipulating the truth, and distorting the facts about Wednesday morning’s shooting in Koura. Franjieh said that the LF always obeys the law, and is committed to an investigation of the incident, “without threatening the legal system, or issuing demands.” He said the LF had offered full disclosure on the matter, and provided authorities with all relevant information.
Habib said that Franjieh’s attempts to “pressure the Lebanese legal system and orient the investigations to fit his interests will do him no good.”
“The legal system alone handles investigations and decides what measures to be taken,” Habib said.
Habib said that transcripts from Franjieh’s press conference, along with “clear and direct threats” against the LF officials would be handed over to prosecutors. Habib said that Franjieh would be held responsible for any attack against LF supporters.
“How is it possible to accuse the Lebanese Forces of plotting to assassinate Youssef Franjieh, who is head of security at the house of former MP Sleiman Franjieh? Did Lebanese Forces supporters call him to the crime scene to assassinate him?” he asked.
Habib went further and asked “who ordered Youssef Franjieh to go to the crime scene? We hold his master, who gave him orders to go to Bsarma, responsible.”
Habib said the LF had confidence in the legal system, and was committed to the results of the investigation. Habib called for the full truth surrounding the incident to be revealed, and for all responsible parties, regardless of what position they may hold, to be brought to justice. He also called for the complete investigations into previous killings of young LF supporters, from “the murders of Tony Issa and Aziz Saleh at Dahr al-Ain, Riad Abi Khattar in Batroun, to the killing of Pierre Ishak today, all of whom were killed by Marada bullets.”