Political tension spills out onto Lebanese streets
Tension is rising in Lebanon following disparaging comments made by former Minister Wiam Wahhab about Prime Minister Saad Hariri and his late father, former Premier Rafik Hariri.
Wahhab is a member of the March 8 Alliance, which includes Hezbollah and is aligned with the Syrian regime.
A video emerged a few days ago of a gathering at which Wahhab could be seen making graphic personal insults about certain individuals.
Although he did not specify whom he was targeting in the video, it is widely assumed that he was referring to the Hariris.
Supporters of both sides have taken to the streets in recent days. Allies of Hariri filed a lawsuit against Wahhab, accusing him of “stirring strife and risking civil peace.” The lawsuit was accepted on Friday by State Prosecutor Samir Hammoud.
Investigation
Wahhab has been referred to the Information Department of the Internal Security Forces ( ISF) for investigation. His lawyers refused to receive a summons for their client on Friday.
On Saturday, ISF officers went to Wahhab’s residence to bring him in for questioning. He was not there, but one of his aides, Mohammad Abou Diab, was shot in what the ISF said was fire from “unidentified gunmen” after Wahhab’s supporters began firing “randomly.”
The ISF said its officers did not open fire. Abou Diab later died from his wounds.
Wahhab accused Hariri, Hammoud and the ISF’s director general of planning to assassinate him.
“Blood has been shed — who will bear responsibility for it?” Wahhab asked, warning Hariri that Lebanon is on the path to “war.”