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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Opposition MP tries to mend fences after Zahle murder |
| 2008-04-26 |
| Opposition MP Elias Skaff canceled a press conference scheduled for Thursday at his office in Zahle to avoid protesters angry with his alleged involvement in the murder of two government supporters earlier in the week. After Skaff's announcement, Phalange party and Lebanese Forces supporters moved a sit-in they intended to hold in front of the Popular Bloc offices in Zahle to the cemeteries where victims Nasri Marouni and Salim Assi were laid to rest. March 14 official Michel Mouawad on Wednesday accused Hizbullah of sheltering Zahle criminal Joseph Zouki in south Lebanon in coordination with MP Elias Skaff. "Joseph Zouki is in south Lebanon within the framework of coordination between Hizbullah and MP Elias Skaff," Mouawad said from Bkirki. Contacts and mediation efforts were underway Wednesday evening to soothe the tense situation and prevent any unanticipated consequences. Zahle Patriarch Gregorios III Lahham instructed former ambassador Fouad al-Turk to carry out the mediation efforts, An Nahar said. Phalange party leader Amin Gemayel on Tuesday accused Skaff of "advance knowledge" of the Zahle crime and urged him to turn the culprits in to justice. Gemayel warned Skaff not to get himself, his supporters and the Zahle area involved "in a battle that is much bigger than you. Do not try to play with fire for you know what the Phalange Party is." He also urged him to "turn the culprits in, without delay, and we will be ready to confront anything." |
| Posted by:Fred |