Hamas Says Ties with Hizbullah 'Strong', Cooperating to End Phenomenon of Explosive-Laden Cars

Hamas' political chief in Lebanon Ali Baraka stressed on Friday that the movement is cooperating with Hizbullah and Lebanon's security agencies to end the phenomenon of explosive-laden Cars.

“The person accused of May rocket attack that targeted Hizbullah (controlled neighborhood of Shiyah) in Beirut's southern suburbs Ahmed Taha isn't a member of the movement,” Baraka said in an interview with As Safir newspaper.

He pointed out that the brother of Taha, Fadi, is from the cadres of the movement but “he has nothing to do with his brother's (Ahmed) activities.”

The Lebanese army intelligence was handed over Fadi and several others to investigate with them.

On Tuesday, the Lebanese army demanded Barakeh to hand in two suspects linked May's rocket attack.

On May 26, four people were wounded in a rocket attack on Beirut's southern suburbs.

Beirut's southern suburbs have been a scene of several violent attacks lately.

In July, a booby-trapped car exploded at a parking lot in Bir al-Abed, leaving 53 people wounded and causing extensive material damage.

And on last week, 27 people were killed and more than 336 others wounded in a powerful car bombing that went off between the suburbs of Bir al-Abed and Ruwais.

30-year-old Ahmed Taha resides in Harat Hreik, has a cellphone shop in the area and allegedly has links to Hamas.

“Hamas is keen to preserve security ans stability in Lebanon... Hamas rejects to interfere in local Lebanese affairs,” Baraka told As Safir.

Concerning the ties between Hizbullah and Hamas, the Palestinian official described them as “strong.”

“We are cooperating and coordinating on the security and political levels,” Baraka said.

He added that the “security of Dahieh is linked to the security of Palestinian refugee camps across Lebanon,” pointing out that Hamas is also coordinating with the army and other security agencies.