John McCain Denies Meeting Syrian Kidnappers During Secret Rendezvous with 'Patriot' Rebels

AP Photo/Syrian Emergency Task Force, Mouaz Moustafa

Reports that Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) accidentally met with two Syrian terrorists are untrue, the senator said Monday.

McCain made headlines last week after he secretly met with a group of Syrian rebels. However, news of his meeting came under additional scrutiny after it was suggested that McCain met with two Syrians who were supposedly involved in the kidnapping of 11 Lebanese Shi’ite pilgrims.

But the Arizona senator claims the “kidnapping” charges are untrue, saying it’s a false accusation concocted by the Lebanese media.

The claim was "generated by a Beirut television station," Sen. McCain said during Monday interview on Fox News’ Fox and Friends. "One of these guys they were claiming was there has been reported dead. It’s just an attempt to discredit --”

“You did not meet with terrorist?” one host interjected.

“No. Of course not,” a dismissive McCain responded. “I can assure you, we know who they are. They’ve been fighting for over two years, they are patriots and, yes, there are extremists flowing in country.”

And do you know why “extremists” have been flowing into Libya? It is because the U.S. has done nothing to help the rebels succeed, the senator explained.

The solution, he added, is for the U.S. to arm the rebels (especially with antitank weapons) and to help remove opposing “air assets.”

The conversation then turned to the question of whether U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder perjured himself when he claimed under oath that he knew nothing about the Department of Justice’s spying on the Associated Press’ phone records.

Holder, McCain said, “better explain those contradictions as quickly as possible”:

--

RELATED:

• In Syria, McCain ‘regrettably’ poses for photo with alleged kidnappers
• Which Middle Eastern Country Did Sen. McCain Just Secretly Visit — and Why?

Follow Becket Adams (@BecketAdams) on Twitter

Featured image AP Photo.