Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun commented Tuesday on the statements made by Minister of Defense Fayez Ghosn about the presence of Al-Qaeda members in Ersal.

Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun commented Tuesday on the statements made by Minister of Defense Fayez Ghosn about the presence of Al-Qaeda members in Ersal.

“(Ghosn) is the most credible source (regarding such security issues), because he is the one following up (on the matter),” he told the press following the weekly meeting of his Change and Reform bloc.

“(Ghosn) is a responsible (authority) supported by a large army.”

Last week, Ghosn warned that Al-Qaeda members are present in Ersal. A few days after his comments, 44 people were killed in Damascus bombings that Syrian the regime blamed on terrorist organizations.

Aoun said that the twin blasts that targeted Damascus last Friday, will “not change the (Syrian) regime.”

The Change and Reform bloc leader also addressed Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rai’s statements on weapons in Lebanon.

“When (the suitable) time comes, then we will stand in support with (Rahi’s) point of view and (Hezbollah’s Secretary General) Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah (will) support (our stance).”

The patriarch had said on Sunday: “The state is obligated to guarantee the people’s safety, gather all arms, and limit security duties to the state, which will therefore ensure an arms-free Beirut and arms-free Lebanon.”

The Lebanese defense minister had said last week that members of al-Qaida had entered the Bekaa town of Ersal and later infiltrated Syria.