Brussels/Usti nad Labem, North Bohemia, July 20 (CTK correspondent) – The Czech Republic cooperates with a number of foreign secret services in dealing with the five Czechs who went missing in Lebanon recently, Foreign Minister Lubomir Zaoralek (Social Democrats, CSSD) told journalists yesterday.
He said, however, Lebanon remains the main partner on both the political and intelligence levels.
Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka (CSSD) said cooperation with the Lebanese government may be of key importance in dealing with the case.
A number of intelligence services operate in the region. The Czech Republic is in contact with many of them and will use their assistance, Zaoralek said, adding that the Czechs regularly cooperate with the Lebanese.
“I am glad that the Foreign Ministry has paid extraordinary attention to the case since the very moment when we won the information. I am also glad that communication between the Foreign Ministry and the Lebanese government is very good,” Sobotka said on his visit to the Usti Region.
“This cooperation with the Lebanese government can be decisive and of key importance for resolving the matter,” Sobotka said.
Five Czech citizens and the driver of their taxi disappeared in the Bekaa valley in the east of Lebanon on Saturday. According to Lebanese media, the incident may be connected with the case of a man detained over alleged cooperation with terrorists in Prague last year. The driver is allegedly a close relative of his.
Zaoralek confirmed that the ministry’s emergency committee will meet again on Tuesday morning.
He said the situation in Lebanon differs from that in Libya where a Czech disappeared in the spring.
In Lebanon, the Czech Republic has more transparent and clear partners, Zaoralek said.
