Qahwaji: Tense Rhetoric behind Tension, Qatari Arms in Lutfulla II

Zeinab Essa

It's the ugly strife. Once again Lebanon is the victim of the political foolishness.

A decision was taken: A regional will decided to attack the last fort that preserves the Lebanese stability. The national army is the target.

Hours after the fragile calm prevailed Tripoli's scene, "Future Movement" and its extremist accessories refused but to explode the situation.

However, questions are raised on the real intentions behind the scene: Had the recent US delegation [Jeffery Feltman and Joseph Lieberman] to Lebanon given a green light for dragging Lebanon into the trap?

What are the real motives for the Gulf countries [Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Bahrain] to issue travel warnings to Lebanon? Is there an international decision to make Lebanon enter the era of no return.

Real Story: LA was Attacked

The long Lebanese Sunday started after the shooting death of Sheikh Ahmed Abdul Wahed at an army checkpoint in the Akkar town of al-Kweikhat.
According to "as-Safir" Lebanese newspapers sources, Sheikh's motorcade crossed the LA's checkpoint and refused to stop.

"The LA members shot twice in the air. However, elements of the motorcade shot at the checkpoint, which led to the injury of a soldier and the damage of a Hamvi car. In response, the soldiers fired back on the car which led to the death of Sheikh Abdul Wahed and his bodyguard," the paper reported.
It further added that "Abdul Wahid's car contained licensed weapon, unlike accompanying cars that carried unlicensed arms," and pointed out "the LA members decided to insist on the inspection."

"The LA would never shoot anyone without a reason," military sources stressed.
It further highlighted that "the army checkpoints spread across Lebanon and no similar accident had happened before."

Future Explodes Beirut

Later in the day, Future MPs agitated the situation. They exploited all types of political investment and tense rhetoric to attack the army. Roads were blocked all over Lebanon (as groups of men burned wheels and cut the roads). Clashes broke out in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, which led to the death of at least three people and the injury of dozens.

In this context, "al-Akhbar" daily reported that the "Future" Party followers cut the capital's roads [kornish al-Mazra, Verdun and the Sports City.]
"They even shot towards an army patrol, before they launched a campaign of attacks against the Arab Party, led by Shaker al-Bergawi," the paper added, noting that "the Future supporters tried to storm the headquarter of the party.

In parallel, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati chaired a meeting at the Grand Serail in presence of the Defence Minister Fayez Ghosn, Interior Minister Marwan Charbel, Justice Minister Chakib Qortbawi, LA Commander General Jean Qahwaji, Internal Security Forces(ISF) Director General Major General Achraf Rifi, LA Intelligence Director Brigadier General Edmond Fadel and ISF Information Branch Chief Brigadier General Wissam al-Hassan.

Mikati: No one Above Law

After the meeting, Mikati, in a press conference, stressed that "no one enjoys immunity and no one is above the law in Lebanon."
He urged political parties to end the tense rhetoric.

"The government is determined to continue to shoulder its national responsibilities amid this critical period in Lebanon and the region, and it will take all measures necessary to preserve civil peace," Mikati confirmed.
The PM also called Lebanese media to help in spreading a calm rhetoric away from sectarian campaigns.

Qahwaji: LA Cohesive, Stop Political Tension

In parallel, "as-Safir" mentioned that LA Commander General Jean Qahwaji emphasized that the LA accepts the investigative judge's decision, saying: "we will approve of whatever he says."

"The army is cohesive and will not be lured by sectarian rhetoric," Qahwaji confirmed.
In an interview with "al-Joumhoria" newspaper, Qahwaji viewed "what happened in Akkar is the result of political tension in the region."

The head of the LA urged all Lebanese political officials to stop sedition in the country."
"The Lebanese don't want to return their country to previous stages," he confirmed, pointing out that "they [the Lebanese] hold onto their government and army."
Qahwaji also stated that "the real problem is related to the political rhetoric that is responsible for agitating sedition and tension."
"The army will not allow the situation to deteriorate in the North or in any other area across Lebanon. The army stands by the people and not against them," he asserted.

Qatari Arms in Lutfulla II

On another security concern, diplomatic sources close to "March 8" informed " al-Joumhoria" that "Lutfulla II" ship was loaded with Qatari Army weapons.
The daily unveiled that "boxes loaded within the ship were labelled from the Gulf country's Army."
"Abd al-Aziz al-Attiya, the Qatari who was arrested with Shadi al-Mawlawi, is one of the prominent financiers of "al-Qaeda" in Syria and Lebanon," it revealed.

According to the sources, "al-Attiya is the brother of Abu Khalifa al-Attiya, the Head the Qatar Amiri Diwan [Qatar Presidential Palace]."
"The Emir of Qatar, Hamad Bin Khalifa, interfered personally to release al-Attiya, as he requested from PM Mikati to find the appropriate outcome of the issue," "al-Joumhoria" uncovered.
The sources added that "Qatar is trying to make itself a regional influential power via its support to the radical Islamic movements to reach power."
"It is trying to become a political partner in building the so-called "new democracy," they concluded.