Charbel Denies ISF to Deploy in Army Checkpoints, Urges Unity among Lebanese

Interior Minister Marwan Charbel denied on Monday that there’s a decision to deploy Internal Security Forces units in the army’s positions in Akkar or any other area across Lebanon.

“The armed forces complement each other,” Charbel told al-Joumhouria newspaper.

On Sunday, Sheikh Ahmed Abdul Wahed was shot dead along with his companion Sheikh Mohammed Hussein Merheb at an army checkpoint in the northern Akkar town of al-Kweikhat.

Abdul Wahed was to make a speech at a rally that was scheduled to be held in Halba. The event was called off.

Charbel revealed that the military judiciary launched an investigation concerning the incident.

He pointed out that officials are exerting efforts to contain the repercussions of Abdul Wahed’s killing and prevent the situation from further escalating.

“The Lebanese realize the dangerous stage we’re in and they shouldn’t be divided,” the minister said.

Several areas in Beirut were blocked by burning tires and clashes erupted near the Beirut Arab University in Tariq al-Jedideh between supporters of al-Mustaqbal movement and the Arab Movement party.

The clashes involved the use of machineguns and rocket-propelled grenades and left 2 people dead and around 18 wounded.