Another Saudi-backed terrorist arrested in Lebanon

Crescent International

Rabi' al-Awwal 14, 1435 2014-01-15

Daily News Analysis

by Crescent International

The Lebanese army shown in photo, arrest Jamal Daftar-Dar, a Saudi-backed terrorist in Lebanon. He is believed to be involved in the car bombings of Iran's Embassy in Beirut on November 19 that killed at least 25 people. Another Saudi intelligence operative, Majed al-Majed died in mysterious circumstances in a Beirut hospital only a few days after his arrest. He could not be interrogated about his Saudi-backed terrorist operations.

Beirut, Crescent-online
Wednesday January 15, 2013, 15:03 EST

As part of its ongoing investigation into the twin bomb attacks on Iran’s embassy in Beirut last November, the Lebanese army says it has arrested a second terrorist linked to the dastardly crime. At least 25 people including Iran’s Cultural Attache, Hujjatul Islam Ibrahim Ansari, were killed in the twin car bombings on November 19, 2013.

The Lebanese army identified the latest terror suspect as Jamal Daftar-Dar who belongs to the Abdullah Azzam Brigade. This is a terrorist outfit financed by the Saudi regime and has carried out terrorist operations in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan and many other countries.

Daftar-Dar was arrested in Lebanon’s Western Beqaa Valley and could be potentially a crucial breakthrough after the arrest and then death of Majed al-Majed. The latter, a Saudi national was believed to be the mastermind of terrorist operations in Lebanon. Majed was pronounced dead in hospital on January 4.

Many observers believe Majed was murdered on the orders of Saudi Arabia because he was a member of the Saudi intelligence agency and could have revealed crucial information during interrogation about Saudi regime’s terrorist operations in Lebanon and the broader Middle Eastern region.

The Saudi regime has many agents in Lebanon including in the political system. Saad Hariri, a playboy and former prime minister as well as son of the slain former prime minister Rafik Hariri, is one of them. His March 8 group is financed by the Saudis and pursues their agenda.

According to informed sources, the Lebanese army is keeping a close watch over Daftar-Dar to ensure he does not meet the same fate as al-Majed.

Islamic Iran is keen to participate in the investigation into the embassy bombings. A high level legal and judicial delegation led by Iran’s Deputy Justice Minister Abdol-Ali Mirkouhi arrived in Beirut earlier today to hold talks with Lebanese officials.

The delegation had meetings with Lebanon's caretaker Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour, caretaker Minister of Interior and Municipalities Marwan Charbel, caretaker Justice Minister Shakib Qortbawi, Acting Attorney General Samir Hammoud and a number of officials from the Lebanese Army’s intelligence bureau.

Daftar-Dar is believed to have carried out the bomb attack on an army checkpoint in Sidon to facilitate the escape of Majed al-Majed from Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp where he was hiding. Majed is believed to have made his escape amid the chaos following the army checkpoint attack.

It will be interesting to see what information can be extracted from Daftar-Dar. While he may not hold as important information as Majed, he is bound to provide important leads that will enable the Lebanese intelligence to pursue those behind the terrorist attacks in Lebanon.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was in Beirut a day earlier (Tuesday) and met with Lebanese prime minister designate Tammam Salam. There are reports that Iran and Lebanon are now sharing crucial intelligence on the situation to confront terrorism. A number of other regional countries have also expressed willingness to join the fight against terrorism.

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