Suleiman, Miqati, Salam Urge Arrest of Hujairi's Convoy Attackers

President Michel Suleiman on Sunday held talks with the security officials over the deadly al-Labweh incident that happened earlier in the day, urging “utmost efforts to contain the situation and arrest the perpetrators and refer them to the relevant judicial authorities.”

“Resorting to such methods, amid the breakthrough in the issue of the abductees, will further complicate things and create new problems,” Suleiman said.

Arsal municipal chief Ali al-Hujairi and two of his companions 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.

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 and Amhaz families as the car passed the town of al-Labweh.

For his part, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati contacted caretaker Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn, caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel, army Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Walid Salman and the dignitaries of Arsal.

Miqati stressed the importance of “cooperation among all the residents of the region to address the repercussions of the incident and thwart any attempt to stir strife among their ranks.”

The premier noted that security agencies are “performing their duties to apprehend the culprits and refer them to the judiciary.”

Meanwhile, PM-designate Tammam Salam contacted the interior minister to inquire about the circumstances of the attack, urging the army and security forces to “deal with this act with utmost firmness in order to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to justice.”

Salam said the incident highlights “the volatile and critical situation in the Bekaa region and the urgent need for joint efforts from all the political parties and residents to confront all attempts at stirring strife and undermining stability and civil peace.”