Political tension has reached Lebanon’s Druze-inhabited mountainous areas referred to as ‘Jabal’ following a smear campaign launched by members of the March 8 alliance against Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri.
Inter-Druze tension rose on Friday when supporters of former Minister Wiam Wahhab, a March 8 figure, drove into Mukhatara, hometown of head of Progressive Socialist Party Walid Jumblat, who warned that the town was a “red line.”
Recently, Wahhab made what was described as a provocative statement, against slain Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and his son the PM-designate. Later, a group of Wahhab supporters led a convoy of cars in some areas of Jabal through Mukhtara, before the army stopped and arrested several of them.
Jumblat defused the situation after instructing his supporters not to respond to such provocations, a source in the region told Asharq al-Awsat.
The source stressed that had it not been contained by the army, the situation would have exacerbated.
“We can not guarantee on what will happen” if such an incident is repeated, the source warned.
In a tweet Friday morning, Jumblat commended the army's efforts. “I thank the army for opening the roads and arresting the troublemakers, and I clarify that Mukhtara is a red line."
MP of Lebanese Democratic Party Hadi Abul Hassan told Asharq Al-Awsat that the incident in the Jabal was contained due to the wisdom of the political leadership and the Lebanese army.
The army’s general command issued a statement saying that a convoy of armed men had been driving by the Chouf villages of Barouk, Mukhtara and Maaser al-Chouf, firing into the air until an army unit stopped them.
The statement said troops arrested 57 suspects and confiscated their weapons and cars, adding that investigations were ongoing.
Meanwhile, State Prosecutor Samir Hammoud, accepted a request filed by a group of lawyers to look into the remarks made by Wahhab, on charges of “inciting strife and upsetting civil peace,” the state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported.
Hammoud referred the request to the Internal Security Forces Information Branch to launch an investigation. The ISF is expected to contact Wahhab and summon him for questioning.
Commenting on the political tension, MP of Development and Liberation bloc Hani Kobeissi stated that only the formation of a government of national unity representing all blocs and parties can create political and social stability in Lebanon.
