Report: Kanaan Agrees with Rifi, Hammoud to Freeze IS Flag-Burning Summonses

MP Ibrahim Kanaan has reportedly agreed with Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi and General Prosecutor Judge Samir Hammoud to suspend the summonses issued against several young men who have burned the Islamic State group's flag in Beirut.

Rifi had asked Hammoud to investigate the case when a video showing several men burning the IS flag in Ashrafieh's Sassine square was circulated on social media.

The flag includes the Islamic shahada, “There is no god but Allah, Mohammed is the messenger of Allah.”

The minister considered that their actions were offensive to Muslims. In Lebanon, the disrespect of religious symbols is punishable by law.

However, Kanaan, who is a member of the Change and Reform bloc and a lawyer, immediately rushed to their defense.

LBCI said Thursday that the lawmaker met with Rifi and Hammoud away from the media spotlight.

The conferees agreed to freeze the summonses against the suspects, the TV station added.

There are fears that burning of the flag would up sectarian tension.

Assailants have been spray-painting the walls of several churches in the northern city of Tripoli and reports said that angry men have burned crosses.

Rifi has also ordered an investigation into the alleged cross-burning.

G.K.

H.K.