An Epidemic of Slanderous Fabrications

The coronavirus outbreak has been a vicious global pandemic, but what more dangerous are the false viral rumors, spread by the souls prone to evil. It is strange how they became strongly nurtured since 17 October uprising and 4 August Beirut explosion, based on groups, assigned the task of weaving misleading stories, spreading lies, rumors and misinformation, creating chaos, with the aim of confusing the Lebanese society and strongly affecting its security and stability. The latest episode of these rumors are those that involved Coral Oil and Liquigas energy companies, owned by the three brothers: Oscar, Antonio and Edgar Yammine.

The story that became the substance of exchange, accusation and denial requires comments regarding several points:
Online newspaperS detailed a recent report by the Israeli “Alma Research and Education Center”, which alleges that the two aforementioned companies are illegally smuggling fuel into Syria with the help of Hezbollah in such smuggling operations.

These newspapers did not mention, even in a few words, the results of all the investigations conducted by the Lebanese security services, especially the Lebanese army, which is responsible for the operation of border control and smugglers arrest. In addition, they have not contacted the owners of the two companies to get official comment from them about what was stated in the Israeli report, nor have they reviewed their respective websites for information, knowing that such steps do not require much time and effort.

If the two companies are clearly bypassing the international sanctions imposed on the Syrian regime, according to the allegations of the Israeli report, how can the Lebanese Army tolerate such actions?

Returning to the aforementioned investigations, it is necessary to stop at the two letters issued by the Army Command on 6 August 2020, addressed to Coral Oil and Liquigas, stating that the measures taken by the army have severely limited and are curbing the smuggling activities, particularly the smuggling of fuel, where smugglers are arrested and the goods are confiscated in coordination with the competent judiciary. The investigation with the smugglers has not established any involvement of the two companies in the smuggling activities.

The two companies issued a statement against the initiators and promoters of rumors and lies at home and abroad, and those who stand behind them, whatever entities and companies, warning them about the consequences of their actions. They asserted that they have prosecuted and will continue to prosecute them before the competent authorities, public prosecutions and the courts, to uncompromisingly expose them with every available legal means, with indications of uncovering files for businessmen involved in fabricating the accusations scenarios from A to Z.

We remember the bigots and their wishes of control through their satanic acts, when the Banque du Liban subsidized gasoline and diesel. Further, when majority of the oil companies and its derivatives used to monopolize gasoline and diesel, where were those armies accustomed to spreading sedition and lies. Moreover, it is striking to see the negligence of both oil facilities in Tripoli and Zahrani, which led to the loss of gasoline and diesel from the Lebanese market and its negative repercussions on all sectors, including health sector, coinciding with Covid-19 epidemic and its risks.
In fact, we have to mention Coral Oil and Liquigas action, rushing to supply the Lebanese market with the required quantities of gasoline and diesel, to hundreds of stations, hospitals, generators and major institutions, away from the narrow and immediate egoistic interests, the corruption and monopoly, popular nowadays, just out of concern for the interest of the homeland and the citizen.

This campaign seems to serve only suspicious and corrupt interests, especially in light of talking about a group of aspirants to acquire a share of the fuel market in cooperation with some political parties, with preliminary information indicating their relationship with entities linked to the Israeli Center for the purpose of issuing the aforementioned report, we call upon them, by national responsibility, to desist from the hateful campaigns in these circumstances of well-known goals and objectives.

We would like to remind that these “aspiring” people held a meeting in one of the Arab countries with the aim of coordinating and planning to reserve a place for them in the Lebanese oil market and to remove the two mentioned companies from the market by slander and defamation, hoping that they will succeed in having a market for their activities, knowing that such conduct, with their cheap and sordid methods will do a lot of damage to the Lebanese market.

Finally, the Lebanese Army, the long-standing national institution that enjoys the trust of the people, and of all the political, spiritual, religious and social leaderships because it is distinguished by high morality, has granted a “Certificate of Innocence” to Coral Oil and Liquigas, which confirms what we have mentioned, and which is like a medal that the two companies are proud of, it is the best evidence of their sincere patriotism, their transparency and dedication to serve their country and countrymen and women in light of these difficult circumstances and tough economic and financial hardship.

We hope that Coral Oil and Liquigas and their patriotic owners will devote all their national energies for the sake of Lebanon and its people, especially in those turbulent circumstances in our homeland, Lebanon, we will also stick with them and stay by their side, as they are building bridges of sacrifice, loyalty and devotion to Lebanon, its army and its institutions.
We want to reassure them that these slanders, allegations, and falsehoods, which are nothing but a storm in a teacup, and that it will only enhance their faith and determination to move forward, to continue their national mission at all economic, social and developmental levels, to have a country that ensures the respect and appreciation deserved by its citizens.

Editor-in-chief of EuroArab International Newspaper.
Dr. Khaled Zeineddine

Published: 22 May ,2021: 02:33 PM GST