Tension Surges in Wadi Khaled over Individual Dispute

Tension increased on Thursday in Rajem Khalaf area on the outskirts of Wadi Khaled region in north Lebanon a day after Mohammed Hmeidan was killed in an individual dispute.

The state-run National News Agency reported that two houses which belong to the Asaad family were set ablaze at dawn in retaliation to the death of Hmeidan.

The houses of Ahmed and his brother Jamal al-Asaad were torched by unknown assailants.

Ahmed is in the custody of police over the incident.

The Internal Security Forces said in a statement on Wednesday that 55-year-old A.A. opened fire at Hmeidan, 63, after a quarrel, shooting him in the chest.

The dispute, according to the statement, erupted when shepherd Hmeidan led his cattle to the property of A.

However, the suspect said in his testimony that Hmeidan opened fire first at him from a hunting rifle in his possession, compelling him to retaliate.

H.K.

G.K.