Consultative Gathering ‘Not Taking Advantage’ of Jahliyeh Incident, Mrad Says

Pro-Hizbullah Sunni MP Abdul Rahim Mrad of the Consultative Gathering on Monday said he “is not” taking advantage of the recent Jahliyeh incident for the sake of being represented in the new government.

In remarks he made from the residence of former Minister Wiam Wahhab in Jahliyeh, the MP said: “The Gathering is not taking advantage of the incident,” nevertheless affirming their “right for representation in the government.”

He criticized the “approach of the (Internal Security Forces) Intelligence Branch” in handing a judicial writ to Wahhab, “this is too much,” he said.

Mrad was paying condolences to Wahhab over the killing of Mohmmed Bou Diab, a Wahhab supporter killed Saturday as gunfire erupted during an attempt by the Intelligence Branch to find the ex-minister in order to arrest him or notify him of the judicial writ.

Wahhab had been summoned by the Branch in connection with a lawsuit filed against him by a number of lawyers over insults he addressed to Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri and his slain father ex-PM Rafik Hariri.

The Chouf region had on Friday witnessed a standoff between supporters of Wahhab and Jumblat after the ex-minister’s supporters took to the streets in armed convoys.