Third ‘suicide’ in crisis-hit Lebanon in five days.
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A56-year-old unemployed Lebanese man reportedly committed suicide yesterday in his house in southern Lebanon due to his dire financial condition.
The former construction labourer, Nazih Aoun, allegedly committed suicide, according to local media reports, in his home village of Tibnin, part of Nabatiyeh governorate.
Gulf News contacted Tibnin Municipality and spoke to an official named Hussain, who said: “Nazih Aoun was found dead in his house. We cannot confirm it as a suicide yet. We informed Internal Security Forces [Lebanese police] who inspected the scene and called a forensic examiner to check the body and clarify the cause of death. It could be a normal death, suicide, heart attack or maybe murder … investigations are pending.
“Born on July 8, 1964, Aoun has four children who live in Germany. He has been poor and unemployed for over a year now. Last year he was selling vegetables on a small booth.”
Third incident
Aoun’s purported suicide is the third such incident in five days. On Wednesday, a man named Dany Abu Haidar shot himself with a hunting rifle over a 3 million Lebanese pound (Dh7,300) debt in Al Nabaa area. On Sunday, destitute Naji Al Fulaiti hanged himself over a 700,000 pound debt and his inability to give his daughter 1,000 Lebanese pounds to buy flatbread in Arsal. On October 17, protesters launched nationwide street demonstrations against widespread political corruption and mismanagement.
■ Bassam Za’Za is a freelance journalist based in Beirut.