Calm restored in Baalbek following deadly clashes

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Calm was restored Saturday evening in the Bekaa city of Baalbek after armed clashes erupted in the city's commercial market, where witnesses reported hearing RPG strikes and gunfire in the Nasser Square and in the vicinity of the al-Chams Cinema, near the location of an incident that occurred earlier between a citizen from the Chiyah family and members from Hezbollah.

During the clashes, at least five people were wounded and four others were killed including two Hezbollah members identified as Imad Ballouq and Hisham Wehbe. The two other victims were Sami al-Masri who was shot while driving his motorcycle and Mohammad Ali Soleh who was targeted by sniper fire.

Earlier in the day, the state-run National News Agency reported that a dispute erupted in the Bekaa city of Baalbek between Hezbollah members and Chiyah family, leaving three people killed and several others injured. The NNA later said that the Lebanese Armed Forces deployed in the region and controlled the situation.

Meanwhile, a security meeting was held in Baabda under the chairmanship of President Michel Sleiman in the presence of caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and heads of security apparatuses in order to tackle the situation in Baalbeck.

Army Command:

The Army Command - Orientation Directorate issued a statement whereby it announced that 3 people were killed and others were wounded in an exchange of fire between gunmen in the eastern city of Baalbeck.

This as, a Lebanese Armed Forces Unit deployed in the area and pursued gunmen while the military police launched an investigation into the incident under the supervision of the Lebanese judiciary.

The Army command called on the citizens to practice restraint and to cooperate with the armed forces in order to prevent escalation, stressing that it will deploy strong efforts to restore security.

Tripoli figures statement:

In turn, the official figures of the northern city of Tripoli issued a statement following a meeting held at the residence of MP Mohammad Kabbara, whereby they called on the authorities to set up a security plan aiming at protecting the citizens from the attacks carried out by the “terrorist party” [in reference to Hezbollah].

The figures added that the Lebanese people can no longer bear Hezbollah's actions, holding those protecting the Shiite party responsible for the deteriorating security situation in the region.

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