Tensions were high in the Chouf region in Mount Lebanon on Saturday after a clash between members of the Internal Security Forces’ Intelligence Bureau and gunmen loyal to former Minister Wiam Wahhab.
The dispute erupted after Wahhab was summoned to court on charges of inciting strife and civil peace after he made disparaging remarks against slain former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and his son, Saad, the current PM-designate.
Gunmen loyal to Wahhab prevent the security forces from escorting the former minister from his Jaheliye area. They deemed such a move as an attempt against his life.
The tensions between the security forces and gunmen escalated into an armed clash. Wahhab accused Hariri, General Prosecutor Samir Hammoud and ISF chief Imad Othman of plotting to assassinate hime.
He added that the Hezbollah party had informed the PM-designate that the developments in Jaheliye were leading the country towards civil war.
“You should seek (Hezbollah chief Hassan) Nasrallah if you want to talk about the lawsuit against me,” he added.
A source close to the PM-designate later denied Wahhab’s claims about Hezbollah, saying the former minister was seeking to escape justice.
The National News Agency reported that some 15 ISF Intelligence Bureau vehicles were dispatched on Saturday afternoon to arrest Wahhab, but his gunmen confronted them. The army deployed patrols in order to avert any escalation in tensions, military sources told Asharq Al-Awsat.
Conflicting reports had emerged on whether a judicial order had been issued to summon Wahhab to investigation or whether he was summoned to appear before court.
Judicial sources explained that the patrol was dispatched to his home in order to escort the former minister after he had twice ignored a summons.
Wahhab’s lawyer had allegedly pledged that his client will appear before the judiciary next week.
Meanwhile, Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat held talks in Beirut Saturday with PM-designate Hariri, saying: “We support any measure that cements civil peace.”
“The security in the Chouf region was destabilized by convoys of gunmen,” he added.
“The army is carrying out its duties and the dignity of the Druze is not at risk,” he stressed.
Jumblat and Wahhab are among the Druze community’s most prominent leaders in Lebanon.
