Tensions High in al-Bireh as Daher Slams 'Suspicious' Release of Officers in Abdul Wahed Case
Tensions were high in the hometown of slain Sunni Sheikh Ahmed Abdul Wahed in light of the release of three officers linked to the cleric's death in May.
Mustaqbal bloc MP Khaled al-Daher slammed the decision to release the officers, deeming its a “suspicious decision aimed at creating tensions in Lebanon ahead of Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Lebanon.”
He made his remarks after holding talks with a number of officials from Abdul Wahed's hometown of al-Bireh in Akkar in the North.
Daher added: “It's as if they want the Pope's visit to be a failure.”
“We accuse the Syrian regime of seeking this failure,” he stressed.
He revealed that the March 14 camp, under former Premier Saad Hariri's direction, will thwart the efforts to “create strife” in Lebanon.
The MP said that the efforts are underway to contain the situation and ease the tensions.
Meanwhile, Abdul Wahed's brother, Alaa, urged the concerned authorities to retract their decision “immediately”.
He said that his brother’s case has become a “national cause,” revealing that he had received telephone calls from Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea and March 14 General Secretariat coordinator Fares Soaid on the matter.
Three Lebanese Army officers, who were arrested over the shooting of Abdul Wahed and his companion in May, were released on bail.
The National News Agency said Friday the Military Court of Cassation's head, Judge Elias Nayfeh, ordered the release of the officers on LL300,000 bail each.
Military examining magistrate Judge Riyad Abu Ghida issued arrest warrants against the three officers in July almost a week after their release along with eight soldiers.
They were arrested over the killing of Abdul Wahed and Sheikh Mohammed Merheb at the army checkpoint in the Akkar town of al-Kweikhat.
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://naharnet.com/stories/en/52765 |