Roustum Ghazali ready to resign over Hariri murder, money
Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 1/4/2006

Former Chairman of the Syrian intelligence and security forces in Lebanon Maj. Gen. Roustum Ghazali denied rumors in Damascus and Beirut on his suicide or assassination.

In statements to al-Jazeera satellite TV, he described the campaign against Syria and against him personally as repressive. He explained he will not give up his own office but stressed readiness to quit if President Bashar al-Assad asks him to do so.

He said "If I am asked to resign I will do so, and if I am asked to be martyr I will also do it."

Ghazali denied accusations of corruption referred to by the former Syrian vice president Abdul Halim Khaddam where Khaddam accused Ghazali of taking $ 35 million from al-Madina Bank in Lebanon. Al-Madina Bank is under investigation for massive fraud against depositors, with some citing Syrian officials as having benefited from money deposited in the bank by Iraqis, money that was stolen from the bank by its management, and where the bank management paid money for protection and influence when Syria was in Lebanon.

Ghazali said these accusations are groundless. He stressed he is ready to disclose his bank accounts and those of his family, defying his accusers to find one "Syrian piaster" in this case.

He added "this is a hurtful and groundless campaign against me. I have been interrogated by the UN investigation committee and had placed all what I have under the disposal of the committee concerning financial condition. This is an oppressive campaign and future days will show it is a repressive campaign and we are ready in the future to show what documents we have relating to this matter."

Concerning the request of the UN committee on the murder of Rafiq al-Hariri to interrogate President Bashar al-Assad, Ghazali stressed that this matter is decided by the Syrian leadership in a way to preserve Syrian sovereignty.

Worthy mentioning that Ghazali was one of the five Syrian army officers who were interrogated by the UN investigation committee in Vienna.

On finding mass graves near the headquarters of the Syrian intelligence in Anjar in Lebanon, Ghazali stressed this dates back to the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982, noting that the people of the area confirm that this is a clear and obvious matter."

Ghazale refused to react to Khaddam's statements saying "I refuse to react to Khaddam while I am a soldier in the Syrian Arab army," noting that Khaddam did not target him or the Syrian regime, rather "he targeted Syria, the homeland and the dignity and honor of every citizen."

Previous Stories:
  Syria rejects UN investigation committee meet President al-Assad   (1/3/2006)
  US calls Syria to collaborate with UN investigation   (1/3/2006)
  Lahoud denies he provoked al-Assad against Hariri   (1/2/2006)
  BBC profile: Abdul Halim Khaddam indicate disagreement inside Syrian leadership   (1/2/2006)
  Al-Arabia: Syrian Vice President denounces government: al-Assad threatened Hariri before his assassination   (12/31/2005)
  Person at $800 million Lebanese banking scandal center   (10/28/2005)

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