Former MP Tawk: Latest incidents in Bcharreh are purely "political"

Former MP Gebran Tawk issued on Friday a statement in which he said that he will not enter the game of "statements and counter-statements", noting that what is currently taking place in Bcharreh is "purely political and has nothing to do with environmental activism."

Tawk accused the Lebanese Forces party of trying to impose its decisions, opinions and choices on the residents of Bcharreh, as well as dividing Christians.

He also slammed the clashes between Bcharreh's residents and the Security Forces, adding that the Lebanese Forces party's popularity is decreasing in the northern Lebanese town due to "LF's practices".

Former MP Tawk called for resorting to the judgment of Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai in regards to the Cedars Forest, or alternatively to the concerned legal authorities in this regard.

Residents of the northern Lebanese village of Bcharreh cut off on Tuesday the town's road with burning tires and rocks to protest the removal of a venue built by Former Lebanese MP Gebran Tawk near the Cedars Forest.

Scuffles soon evolved to clashes between supporters of the former MP and Security Forces who continue to negotiate with the residents in a bid to reopen the road.

This as Tawk's media office said that the orders to dismantle the venue by the Security Forces are upon the request of the Lebanese Forces, mainly MP Strida Geagea.

Later in the day, protesters opened the road for cars, but refused to let members of the Security Forces enter the region.

For his part, LF MP Elie Keyrouz told LBCI that what was happening in Bcharreh does not target anyone, reiterating that the venue entailed environmental damage to the Cedars Forest which is listed on the World Heritage UNESCO List.

He also noted that MP Strida Geagea, Bcharreh's municipality and the majority of Bcharreh's resident support the removal of illegal constructions.

This as former MP Gebran Tawk told LBCI that the venue was constructed on private property, adding that it does not harm the environment.

Former Lebanese deputy Gebran Tawk had built a cement venue in Bcharreh’s ancient Cedars Forest to lay ground for an outdoor setting that was the scene of his son’s wedding that took place in August 2013.

It is worth noting that the ancient forest is listed on the World Heritage List of UNESCO; a list that requires the protection of classified sites and their surroundings within an area exceeding 500 square meters; however, the preparation activities carried out in the vicinity pose a threat to the forest.