The Star（http://thestar.com.my）
(1) Lebanon arrests two Malaysian suspected suicide bombers,28 October 2012
KUALA LUMPUR: The Lebanese authorities have arrested two Malaysians believed to be suicide bombers and suspected to be linked to the al-Qaeda terrorist organisation.
The two, aged 21 and 28, were nabbed at Beirut International Airport.
Malaysian ambassador to Lebanon Ilango Karuppannan confirmed that the duo were picked up several days ago.
“They will be brought to court on Monday (tomorrow) and we will ask them whether they require counsel,” he told Bernama.
On Thursday, Lebanon's Al-Joumhouria newspaper, quoting security sources, said the Malaysians were detained by army intelligence on charges of being al-Qaeda members.
Investigations revealed they were recruited into al-Qaeda by another Malaysian before being taken to Yemen where they met other members of the organisation.
Al-Joumhouria said that about two months ago, the two Malaysians had tried to enter Syria via Turkey on a jihadist mission to carry out suicide attacks.
Their planned attacks were coordinated by a man who was said to be responsible for the entry of all jihadists into Syria.
When the two Malaysians failed to enter Syria, they decided to head to Lebanon to carry out terrorist attacks but their activities caught the eye of the army intelligence.
Meanwhile, YVONNE LIM reports that the families of the suspects had been notified.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said that Wisma Putra was closely monitoring the matter.
“We have been in touch with the authorities in Lebanon and we are also investigating the matter.
“The families of the suspects have been notified.
“We will reveal the details when more information is confirmed,” he said.
(2)Home Ministry probing background of two M’sian terror suspects nabbed in Beirut, 28 October 2012
by YEE XIANG YUN
KLUANG: The Home Ministry is investigating the background of the two Malaysian nationals who were arrested in Beirut by the Lebanese authorities on Oct 18 on suspicion of having links with the al-Qaeda terrorist group.
Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said that initial investigations confirmed that the two men, identified as Rafik Mohammed Aaref dan Mohammed Razin Shaaban, had no direct link with militant Islamic groups in this region like Jemaah Islamiah and Darul Islam.
He said that the ministry was already in touch with its counterparts and foreign intelligence to obtain more in-depth information about the duo for further action.
When asked which part of Malaysia the two suspects were from and whether they were students studying in Lebanon, Hishammuddin remained tight-lipped and refuse to disclose further.
"We have more information than that about the two men but it is still too early to release it to the public," Hishammuddin, who is also Sembrong MP, told reporters after attending a mass cow sacrificing ceremony in line with Hari Raya Aidiladha in Kampung Gajah, Kahang some 15 minutes from here.
The two, aged 21 and 28, suspected of being suicide bombers, were nabbed at Beirut International Airport.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said in a press statement Saturday that the two suspects had been brought to the Military Court in Beirut on Oct 25 where the charges were read to them.
The two are scheduled to appear in court again on Monday.
“At this juncture, the case is still being investigated by the Lebanese authorities and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is closely monitoring the case.
“The Malaysian Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon is taking action to meet the two Malaysian nationals and provide consular advice. The families of the two suspects have also been informed of their arrest.
“Malaysia does not condone terrorism or extremism by any group that may compromise the security of any country and its people, and fully respects the laws of Lebanon,” he said.
(3) Ministry checking background of arrested duo, 29 October 2012
by M. KUMAR, MARTIN CARVALHO, YEE XIANG YUN and JOSEPH KAOS JR
KLUANG: The Home Ministry is in touch with foreign intelligence to obtain more information about the two Malaysians arrested in Lebanon.
Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said they were checking the duo’s background, adding that investigations so far indicated that the two men had no direct links with militant groups in the region like Jemaah Islamiah and Darul Islam.
However, Hishammuddin declined to say more about them.
“We have more information than that about the two men but it is still too early to release it to the public,” he said after attending a Hari Raya Aidiladha event in Kampung Gajah, Kahang, some 15 minutes from here.
News reports said the Lebanese authorities have arrested two Malaysians, aged 21 and 38, believed to be suicide bombers.
In KUALA LUMPUR, Armed Forces Commander Gen Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin said he did not discount the possibility that a number of Malaysians recruited by the al-Qaeda could have been trained in a neighbouring country.
One of the basis for this was the fact that several militant groups operating in the neighbouring country had links to the al-Qaeda, he explained.
“We cannot discount the matter, maybe they were trained there before joining the militant group or maybe even here in our country. We need to investigate, it’s too early to conclude,” he told Bernama yesterday.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said police were waiting for reports from the Lebanese authorities and the Malaysian embassy there.
“We’re waiting for a full report from the Lebanese authorities to enable us to investigate and monitor militant movements involving Malaysian citizens,” he said.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said the Malaysian embassy in Beirut was taking steps to meet the two Malaysians and provide consular advice.
“Malaysia does not condone terrorism or extremism by any group that may compromise the security of any country and its people and fully respects the laws of Lebanon,” he said in a statement.
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