Bassil “Concealing” Data
Telecommunications Minister Gebran Bassil came under fire Saturday for "concealing data from security services" thus hampering progress in a number of investigations, including into the assassination of a top Palestinian leader.
Ministerial sources close to parliamentary majority told an-Nahar daily that the services have been waiting since March 11 for access to data in the ministry.
"Security services have authorization to access the data until mid-May, under a Cabinet decree," they said. They pointed out that a "wire-tapping facility" at the Telecoms Ministry must be ready for use by mid-to-end of April. "It is still unequipped," they added.
They warned that "unofficial parties are being granted uncensored and unlimited access to data linked to wire-tapping and telecommunications."
In response, a minister close to Bassil told the paper that "readying the facility will not solve the problem, which is more a matter of principle rather than technicalities."
The minister, who was unidentified, said "should Army Commander Gen. Jean Qahwaji request – at any time – access to the data, the minister will not hesitate to comply.
"During Thursday”s Cabinet session, Bassil accused the government of "breaching the law and violating the privacy of the Lebanese."