Prosecutor Files Lawsuit against Persons Unknown in Attempt on Aoun's Life
South Lebanon Prosecutor Judge Samih al-Hajj on Tuesday filed a lawsuit against persons unknown on charges of trying to assassinate Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun in the coastal city of Sidon in September.
Media reports said Aoun's convoy came under gunfire in Sidon on September 22 while he was returning from Jezzine.
Aoun's press office confirmed the incident after first denying it for “security reasons.”
On September 23, Aoun announced that he had escaped the fourth assassination attempt in his life.
“This is the fourth and the attempt failed today but we haven't found the suspects yet,” he said.
“Why do they want to assassinate me? I haven't killed anyone indiscriminately,” Aoun said.
The failure to kill him “politically and morally” was the reason behind the incident, he added.
An Nahar quoted FPM media sources as saying that a shot was fired at a four-wheeler in the convoy, causing no casualties.
Several March 14 politicians and media reports have questioned whether the assassination attempt had really taken place.
Aoun condemned the skepticism, saying that “some sides have stooped so low in questioning the issue.”
“Security agencies that deny the attempt on my life may be linked to it,” he said.
In addition, he slammed claims that the incident was aimed at bolstering his popularity ahead of the 2013 parliamentary elections.
“There is physical evidence and the judiciary to prove the matter,” said the lawmaker.
Conflicting reports had emerged over the exact location of the incident.
Aoun was returning from a tour of the southern region of Jezzine when the attack happened.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, after the weekly meeting of the Change and Reform bloc, Aoun said: “I'm practicing self-restraint so that I don't reveal information I have about the attempt on my life.”
“I reserve the right to file a lawsuit against anyone who tried to exploit the attempt on my life,” he added.
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