Fatchett meets with Palestinian, Lebanese who observed a sit in
Lebanon-UK, Politics, 3/24/1999

British Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Derek Fatchett on Tuesday, following his meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss, met with a delegation representing Lebanese and Palestinians who observed a sit-in in solidarity with the Lebanese woman, Samar al-Alamai, and the Palestinian Jawad al-Batmeh who were sentenced to 20 years in prison in Britain on charges of conspiring to blow up the British embassy and Ballfour building in London.

On this issue, Fatchett explained that there are two legal tracks in Britain and the case will be submitted to the court of appeals. He stressed that the British Foreign Ministry cannot interfere in cases which are brought before the court. He added that he explained to the delegation that, "I will convey their concern to the sides concerned. But we cannot interfere directly or politically in a legal cause brought before the court."

For his part, the Lebanese premier announced that he asked Fatchett to permit the release of information possessed by the British government relating to the cause of the Lebanese citizen Samar al-Alamai, who has been detained in a British jail for a long time under charges on which "al-Hoss thinks she is not guilty." Al-Hoss added that, "Releasing the information by the British government will enable to submit the case to the court of appeals."

Earlier in the day, tens of Lebanese and Palestinians observed a sit-in in front of the headquarters of the Lebanese Foreign Ministry in solidarity with Samar al-Alamai and Jihad al-Batmeh who have been detained in London since 1996. The sit-in was observed before Fatchett's arrival at the Foreign Ministry to meet with Prime Minister al-Hoss.

Earlier the Lebanese premier met with a delegation representing the participants in the sit-in, including Lebanese parliamentarian Zaher al-Khatib and former Lebanese ambassador in London Nadim Dimashqeyah. The delegation stated that Al-Alami and al-Butmeh's detention is illegal and their trial was political.

Previous Stories:
  Fatchett to visit Lebanon on Monday   (3/20/1999)
  Fatchett to visit Lebanon next week   (3/19/1999)
  Canterbury archbishop meets Lebanese officials   (2/2/1999)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search