MP Jarrah denies presence of Al-Nusra Front in Arsal

        
Future Bloc MP Jamal Jarrah denounced on Monday the incident that occurred on Sunday in the outskirts of Ras Baalbeck, adding that “accusing Arsal resident is a means of inciting strife”.                       

Jarrah told LBCI during Nharkom Said that only soldiers from the Lebanese Armed Forces are present in Arsal; thus, denying the presence of Al-Nusra Front members in the northeastern Lebanese border town.              

“Lebanese Armed Forces, residents, and Syrian refugees are only present in the town,” MP Jarrah said.            

Jarrah reiterated March 14’s support to the residents of Arsal, adding that these forces are working to prevent strife in the region.            

Four citizens were shot dead on Sunday in the region of Wadi Rafeq which is located between the bordering outskirts of al-Qaa and Ras Baalbeck.         

The citizens were identified as Ali Karameh Jaafar, Mohammad Ali Ahmad Jaafar, Hassan Shireif Amhaz, and another citizen from Al-Oglu. In the details, sources told LBCI that unknown assailants ambushed and killed the 4 citizens in the Wadi Rafeq region.              

Shortly after, Arsal residents issued a statement whereby they denounced the death of the 4 citizens and considered it as “a means to provoking tautness”.
                       
Sectarian tension between Sunnis and Shiites in Lebanon is at an all time high, and the situation has worsened after Hezbollah's intervention in the Syrian crisis alongside regime troops.        

Most Sunnis in Lebanon support the overwhelmingly Sunni rebels fighting to oust Syrian President Bachar Assad.