Egypt Considers Charging Nasrallah and Qassem in Hizbullah Cell Case
The Egyptian prosecution is discussing the possibility of including Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and his deputy Sheikh Naim Qassem”s names in the charges made against a Hizbullah cell accused of carrying out attacks inside Egypt.
Security officials in Egypt said several names came up during interrogation of 49 suspects who have been arrested over the past five months and accused of plotting attacks on Israelis in the Sinai on behalf of Hizbullah.
They said among the wanted men were 10 Lebanese and 3 Palestinians whose names came up in questioning.
Defense sources said the accused, including the original suspects” alleged ringleader, a Lebanese man identified as Sami Shehab, could face death penalty or life in jail if convicted of planning terrorist attacks inside Egypt.
Egyptian security forces were on Tuesday combing parts of central Sinai for the other alleged members of the cell, including a Hizbullah commander.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Geith promised "big surprises" when facts about the will be disclosed by Egypt”s state prosecutor following completion of investigations.
Prime Minister Fouad Saniora discussed with Lebanon”s ambassador to Egypt Khaled Ziadeh Cairo”s accusations that Hizbullah was plotting attacks in Egypt.
Saniora asked Ziadeh to follow-up on the case of Shehab.
The prime minister also asked Egyptian ambassador Ahmed Badawi to give him the official information on Shehab”s case.
Meanwhile, Egypt”s Muslim Brotherhood MPs said they supported the Egyptian government”s stance against Hizbullah.
MP Mukhtar Qassem said during a parliamentary session on Tuesday that "the national security of Egypt is a red line, and no one must cross it."