Lassa Cleric Attacker Roaming Freely in Town under Eyes of the State
The situation in Lassa is expected to escalate in light of an attack against a clergyman, Antoine Hakim, last week and the state’s failure to apprehend the attacker even though he is roaming the town freely, reported the Central News Agency on Tuesday.
March 14 General Secretariat coordinator Fares Soaid told the news agency that the residents of the town are awaiting “strict measures” from the Lebanese state against the attacker, “whose identity and whereabouts are known.”
“Such tangible measures have not been taken, which is a real blow to the state before the eyes of the residents of the Jbeil District,” he added.
“Questions are being raised over the state’s lax approach in this matter and its failure to present an explanation to its actions,” he continued.
“The state has refused to uphold the law against the attacker, which paves the way for several repercussions,” Soaid warned.
Meanwhile, one of Hakim’s relatives told the Central News Agency that there are fears that the land dispute in Lassa may negatively affect ties between the residents.
“We have contacted all concerned sides and all we have heard are condemnations,” he revealed.
“They are required to take serious steps that comply with our demands and halt the attackers,” he stressed.
Property disputes erupted in Lassa a few weeks ago when Hizbullah members prevented a Maronite League team from surveying land owned by the Maronite Patriarchate in the predominantly Shiite town of Lassa in the Jbeil District.
They also came after members of the same party prevented an MTV crew from filming a report on the issue in the town.
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