The truth behind the Marouni and Skaff dispute at the Zahle Flower Festival

Following the withdrawal of Zahle’s MPs from the Flower Festival held in Zahle Sunday night and in light of rumors mentioning a fistfight and a verbal bout between the bodyguards of MP Elie Marouni and those of former minister Elias Skaff, the media office of Zahle bloc issued a statement denying the occurrence of any such occurrence. The statement added that Skaff did not even "bump into MP Marouni" at the above mentioned festival.   

Zahle’s MPs criticized what they described as an “indecency” on the part of the municipal council “that did not greet them according to customs and traditions”. MP Elie Marouni stressed that when they decided to leave the festival, some young men tried to create a security incident. “However, security forces managed to avoid it and we left," he said.    

According to sources, MP Elie Marouni objected to the way former MP Elias Skaff was greeted while the president and Zahle’s MPs were ignored. Following a verbal bout with a municipality member, the bodyguard of Marouni intervened and the dispute evolved into a fight. Security forces intervened to contain the dispute, asking the MPs to stay. However, they were reportedly adamant on leaving the festival that went on according to schedule.