Hizbullah Denies Links to Lassa Dispute
Hizbullah denied on Saturday any connection to alleged construction violations committed in a predominantly Shiite town in Jbeil district.
Sources close to the party rejected in comments published in al-Akhbar newspaper to give the dispute a “political aspect,” saying: “There are attempts to politicize the matter to create rift.”
“They will not triumph,” the sources pointed out.
Mount Lebanon Public Prosecutor Judge Claude Karam launched on Friday a probe into allegations that residents began constructing a building on a property claimed by the Maronite church in Lassa.
The Internal Security Forces stopped a Lassa resident, Yasar al-Meqdad, on Thursday from continuing construction work on the land parcel which is claimed by the Maronite bishopric of Jounieh.
And on Friday, the Prosecutor's office ordered the construction be demolished after al-Meqdad reportedly built a ceiling rather than waiting for a judicial decision on the ownership of the property.
“The matter will be swiftly resolved” by the judiciary authorities, Hizbullah sources told the newspaper.
“We are holding onto our stance and refuse to cover up for any illegal activity.”
According to the sources, “Yasser's documents are legal.”
However, Hizbullah officials contacted Bishop Boulous Andari to stress that the solution should be through the judiciary.
The residents of Lassa have in the past been caught in a land dispute with the church.
Anti-Hizbullah officials accuse the party of allowing the residents to build on church land and providing a cover for the property violators.
H.K.
D.A.
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