Lahd travels with Israeli passport

Commander of the Southern Lebanese Army SLA militia Antoine Lahd said he does not care for the death penalty issued by the Lebanese authorities against him over dealing with Israel. He added he moves with an Israeli passport.

In a press interview he held yesterday in Marjyoun, Lahd denied reports published by certain Lebanese dailies that he got the right of political asylum to France for releasing the Lebanese militant Suha Beshara who tried to assassinate him ten years ago. Lahd said the report is totally wrong, adding that Beshara was released for humanitarian reasons following contacts with the French authorities.

He expressed confident in his militia members and in his alliance with Israel. He added he is confident that Israel will not withdraw from Lebanon and leave him without taking into consideration that the SLA counts 3,000 soldiers and this army is equipped with tanks and heavy artillery.