Syrian Businessman Slams Reports of Hiding Fugitive Daou

Syrian businessman Wahib Merhi slammed media reports that fugitive Hisham Daou, accused of killing Major Rabih Kahil, is under his protection, MTV said on Saturday.

On Friday, MTV reported that Daou has fled Lebanon to the Syrian province of Latakia and is in the custody of Merhi.

The army has raided the house of the fugitive Hisham Daou, who is accused of killing Kahil, seizing a large quantity of arms and ammunition.

“Eighteen assault rifles, 17 pistols, a quantity of light ammunition and various military equipment were seized in Daou's house in the Bdadoun area in Aley,” the army said.

Several TV networks said the officer was shot during a quarrel with two men after he parked his car on the side of the road in Bdadoun to make a phone call.

The dispute erupted after the two men arrived in a car and asked Kahil to leave the area, although he identified himself as an army officer.

A fistfight ensued before one of the men, Hisham Daou, opened fire at Kahil from a weapon equipped with a silencer.