This is not the first time Interior Minister Marwan Charbel comes out with a controversial statement and is critisized for it. While it is one thing to try keep Lebanese calm and safe, it is absurd to downplay assassination plots and act as if the country's doing great and security is at its best. Phalange Party leader Amine Gemayel was the first to slam Marwan Charbel after he denied the assassination attempt and undermined it.

In remarks to Voice of Lebanon radio station (100.5), Gemayel said: “I was shocked when I heard the remarks of the interior minister.” “He almost made the official information available by the security forces in his ministry look absurd,” the Phalange chief mocked. “The information is linked to an immediate threat of murder and is linked to the life of a citizen no matter who he is.” [Naharnet]

We can only pray that no new assassinations occur and all politicians, especially the young promising ones such as Sheikh Sami Gemayel, be spared.