Specter of Sedition Threatens Lebanon

Local Editor

The specter of sedition peered again into the Lebanese arena.

A vicious attack against two of Dar al-Fatwa Sheikhs Mazen Hariri and Ahmed Fakhran in the Khandak Ghamik, and Sheikhs Hassan Abdel Rahman and Adnan Umaamah in Chiah, by some young men, were sufficient to escalate the Lebanese street's tension.
However, the Lebanese Army swiftly moved to arrest perpetrators as politicians from across the divide condemned the incident and called for restraint.
The Army mentioned that at least five people were arrested for taking part in the attacks.

Meanwhile, both AMAL and Hizbullah condemned the attack against Sheikhs Hariri and Ahmad Fakhran of Dar al-Fatwa earlier.

In a joint statement, they slammed the attack as an attempt to trigger strife.
In parallel, both sides urged the Lebanese security forces and concerned authorities to track down the attackers and bring them to punishment, regardless of their affiliations.

From Africa, President Michel Suleiman condemned the attack.

Similarly, Prime Minister Najib Mikati denounced the attack and said the perpetrators would be tried irrespective of their political affiliation.
"May God protect Lebanon from these troubles, all perpetrators will be held accountable," Mikati tweeted from Rome.

This comes as angry protesters blocked roads in the Beirut areas of Tariq al-Jedideh, Qasqas and Corniche al-Mazraa, as well as Sidon's entrance in the South and al-Masnaa's road in the Bekaa.

Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani urged calm and restraint after the attack, stressing that the perpetrators "will not go unpunished."
"We urge calm and restraint to enable security forces to investigate the incident," Qabbani said in a televised address.
"We have full confidence in security agencies and the state, but we will not let things go unpunished," the mufti said, and assured that "we will not allow these elements to achieve their goals."

For his part, Interior minister Marwan Charbel warned that he there are "dark clouds in the horizon."
However, he hoped in remarks to an-Nahar daily that that Lebanon would be able to overcome them "wisely."

Meanwhile, as-Safir Lebanese daily's sources cautioned Monday that security incidents in Tripoli threatens with a near storm in the Northern capital.
"This comes as the armed groups set their control to the ground," the daily mentioned, and pointed out that "the last 48 hours incidents ranged from sniping between Jabal Mohsen and Bab Tabbeneh to attacks on citizens depending on their religious affiliation, and to launch of five grenades in different places, along with the fall of an Inerga shell."

The daily further reported that the Lebanese Army brought additional reinforcements to the region, and conducted patrols in Tripoli, and specifically on the fighting lines.

Source: News Agencies, Translated and Edited by moqawama.org