Al-Qaeda cells in region granted ‘full independence’_(Lebanon)

daily star ^ | 7/24/09 | By Elias Sakr

[Flavius]

BEIRUT: Terrorist group Al-Qaeda adopted a new organizational approach by granting its cells in Lebanon and the region “full independence” in decision-making and setting targets, according to a report published by As-Safir newspaper on Thursday. The new approach has also given the Al-Qaeda cells sufficient financing independence and freedom of decision with no need to be connected to other arms of the organization.

[Flavius]

[guitarplayer1953]

If they begin to attack Israel then I would say Israel has the right to bomb Lebanon off the map. This is henhouse politics by the Lebanese government and they should be held accountable for Al-Qaeda actions.

[BipolarBob]

Has Obama sent his congratulatory note for this brave new step?

[guitarplayer1953]

He ought to send Raum Emanuel over there.

[Zeppelin]

If they begin to attack Israel then I would say Israel has the right to bomb Lebanon off the map. This is henhouse politics by the Lebanese government and they should be held accountable for Al-Qaeda actions.

I'm not saying Lebanon is clean of its terrorist elements, but the article reads as though it is Al Qaeda that is granting "independence" to its members; that is, to make their own financing and terrorizing decisions. Not Lebanon.

This is surely an effort by AQ to step up the attacks in coming weeks, while keeping its higher level terrorists safer by severing connections with those who might be caught and interrogated.