According to a representative of Middle East Watch in New York, the Lebanese government is still looking for about "half a dozen" individuals in connection with their alleged involvement in the above-mentioned bombing (18 Oct. 1994). The source adds that the government has not announced the names of all of those accused, some of whom are abroad (ibid.). The representative does not know the names of these individuals.

Referring to the dissolution of the Lebanese Forces (LF) by the Lebanese government because of alleged involvement in the February 1994 bombing of the Church of Our Lady of Deliverance, a Reuters report states that a Lebanese judge investigating the bombing "identified nine suspects, seven of whom ... were LF members" (24 Mar. 1994). According to the report, "warrants [have] also been issued for the arrest of four members of the former militia's elite civil war assault force, including its leader Toni Obeid and a woman, and they [are] being hunted" (Ibid.). The report also states that the arrested LF leader, Samir Geagea, claimed the accused persons
were members of the LF [,] but he said they had left when the militia was disbanded in 1990. He also said three of the four were outside of the country and had not visited Lebanon for more than one year (ibid.).

According to the attached Lebanon Report article, in July 1994 the American ambassador to Lebanon stated that his government would not extradite former LF security service head Ghassan Touma to Lebanon (Aug. 1994, 7). The article points out that Touma is "one of the central figures wanted in connection with the bombing of a church and the [1990] murder of [National Liberal Party leader] Dany Chamoun and his family" (ibid.).

Another Lebanon Report article states that Touma and Antonious Elias Elias, also known as Tony (Toni) Ubayd (Ubeid), are wanted by the Lebanese government for their alleged role in the above-mentioned bombing (July 1994, 3). The article adds that these individuals have fled Lebanon, "as have most of the LF members" wanted in connection with the bombing and the 1990 assassination of Dany Chamoun and his family (ibid.).

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

The Lebanon Report [Beirut]. August 1994. Vol. 5, No. 8. "Washington and the Ghassan Touma Case."

. July 1994. Vol. 5, No. 7. "Tightening the Rope: The Lebanese Forces Stand Accused."

Middle East Watch, New York. 18 October 1994. Telephone interview with representative.

Reuters. 24 March 1994. BC Cycle. Nadim Ladki. "Lebanon Bans Christian Group, Cracks Down on Media." (NEXIS)

The Lebanon Report [Beirut]. August 1994. Vol. 5, No. 8. "Washington and the Ghassan Touma Case," p. 7.

. July 1994. Vol. 5, No. 7. "Tightening the Rope: The Lebanese Forces Stand Accused," p. 3.

Reuters. 24 March 1994. BC Cycle. Nadim Ladki. "Lebanon Bans Christian Group, Cracks Down on Media." (NEXIS)