Army says 86 so far arrested over elections-linked gunfire

The army on Friday announced that it has so far arrested 86 people who were involved in firing weapons in the air in connection with the municipal and mayoral elections, while also seizing arms and ammunition.

In a statement, the army vowed that it will not be lenient in pursuing and arresting anyone involved in illegal shootings, warning that the practice puts the lives of others in danger.

“The deployed military units have started taking exceptional security measures on the occasion of the third round of municipal and mayoral elections that will be held Sunday in the Beirut, Bekaa and Baalbek-Hermel governorates, including sudden checkpoints and patrols, in coordination with the other security agencies,” the army added.

Parliament on Thursday approved an urgent draft law doubling the penalty of illegal shooting into the air. The development came days after dozens of people were arrested for firing into the air during the country’s municipal elections.

Celebratory gunfire that erupted Sunday in the wake of north Lebanon’s municipal elections had wounded several people, including LBCI reporter Nada Andraous, and a child who was critically wounded.

Whether it's joy, political passion or grief, for many Lebanese, there's only one way to show it: by lifting a gun and firing off rounds into the air.

But the deadly practice, a tradition in many Arab countries, has been largely condemned in recent years following a spate of deaths and serious injuries in incidents involving indiscriminate gunfire.

Officially, celebratory gunfire is illegal in Lebanon, where firearm ownership remains widespread more than three decades after the end of its 1975-1990 civil war.

A 1959 law stated "anyone firing in residential areas or in a crowd, whether their gun is licensed or not" faces up to three years in prison or a fine.