Did Ghosn's political ties in Lebanon open doors?

Middle Eastern country denies any role in his escape

20200103 Carlos Ghosn collage for Friday

Former Nissan Motor Chairman Carlos Ghosn and his residence in Beirut: Speculation is rife that Lebanese authorities may have had advance knowledge of his escape from Japan. (Nikkei Montage/Source photos by AP)

MOMOKO KIDERA and TAKAHITO MURAOKA, Nikkei staff writers

January 4, 2020 02:53 JST

Updated on January 4, 2020 04:38 JST

BEIRUT/TOKYO -- While the Beirut government rejects allegations that it had a hand in former Nissan Motor Chairman Carlos Ghosn's escape from house arrest in Tokyo, his deep ties to the political and business establishments in Lebanon have fueled speculation.

A source close to the ousted chairman says that soon after entering Lebanon, Ghosn held an unofficial meeting with President Michel Aoun. The president's office denies that such a meeting took place, but some individuals inside the government may have known of the escape plan in advance.