Naharnet

Hariri Calls for Preventing Strife after al-Labweh Ambush

Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Sunday telephoned Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji and discussed with him the attack that targeted the convoy of Arsal municipal chief Ali al-Hujairi earlier in the day, the ex-PM's office said.

"Hariri stressed the need to take the measures necessary to pursue the perpetrators, noting that this incident is part of the nonstop attempts to drag the country into further tensions,” the office added.

The former premier also telephoned al-Hujairi, who briefed him on the circumstances of the attack.

During his talks with the municipal chief, Hariri condemned the incident and warned against being dragged into the plots of “those who are trying to ignite sedition,” said a statement issued by the ex-PM's office.

Al-Hujairi and two other people were wounded while a man was killed when their convoy came under fire in the Bekaa town of al-Labweh earlier on Sunday, shortly after they took part in a hostage swap that took place in Ras Baalbek, state-run National News Agency reported.

A military source told Agence France Presse that the ambush comes in retaliation to a deadly attack on four young men near Arsal in June and that it was carried out by members of the Jaafar family as the car passed the town of al-Labweh.


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