As-Safir: Israel Invaded Alfa Mobile Phone Operator, Nahhas Confirms

25/10/2010 The Lebanese daily as-Safir reported on Monday that Israel invaded Alfa mobile phone operator over a period of 32 days during the July 2006 war, few hours before Telecommunications Minister Charbel Nahhas had said that Israel infiltrated the telecommunications sector and managed to alter and manipulate its data.

The daily quoted a Lebanese judicial source as sayings that preliminary investigation with detained mobile operator staffers Charbel Q. and Tareq R. showed that the Israelis were able to get hold of all Alfa data from the second day of the July war.

The source added that this has provided the Israelis, with data that allowed them to target individuals and buildings, especially in the southern suburbs and south Lebanon.

For his part Nahhas said Israel has invaded the telecommunications sector and managed to tamper with it.
"Israel was able to control [this sector] through its spies,” Nahhas said during a press conference, adding that strengthening the sector is important since it should not be this fragile.

He added that efforts were underway to prevent eavesdropping on Lebanon telephone calls by Israel.
When asked if phone calls can be modified, Nahhas said this is a technical issue that investigations by relevant bodies can decide.

According to a statement issued by Nahhas’ press office last Friday, the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) conference in Mexico condemned Israeli aggression against Lebanon’s telecom networks.

Security forces have detained several people during the past few months for collaborating with the Zionist entity, Charbel Q. and Tareq R, along with another spy were among those arrested.


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