Al-Rahi calls for self-restraint after Sleiman's killing

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi called Tuesday for self-control and restraint after the killing of Lebanese Forces Jbeil coordinator Pascal Sleiman sparked outrage and condemnation across Lebanon.

After the army's investigation said that Sleiman was killed by a gang while they were trying to steal his car, the Lebanese Forces said they consider Sleiman's killing "a political assassination until proven otherwise" but called on supporters to stop blocking roads.

"In these delicate and tense circumstances, we call for patience and restraint," al-Rahi said, as he called on the judiciary and security forces "to harshly punish the criminals."

The Maronite League, the Progressive Socialist Party, the Kataeb party and the Free Patriotic Movement condemned Sleiman's killing. So did other politicians, ministers and MPs, including Marada leader Suleiman Franjieh, Grand Jaafarite Mufti Sheikh Ahmed Qabalan, and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati who called on everyone to exercise self-control, be wise, and not be drawn into rumours and emotions.

In a televised speech Monday, Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah had denied his party was involved in the kidnapping, accusing those blaming the group of stirring sectarian strife.

"The LF, Kataeb and malicious TV stations have decided that it was Hezbollah who kidnapped Sleiman and we heard very detestable sectarian remarks that remind of civil war," Nasrallah said, adding that LF supporters tried to terrorize the residents of Jbeil and Keserwan and sent threatening messages.

The Central Internal Security Council will hold an exceptional meeting today to discuss the security situation after Sleiman's killing.