Details of Beirut clashes remain unclear as Lebanon marks protests anniversary

Jerusalem Post ^ | OCTOBER 17, 2021 19:27 | TZVI JOFFRE

[BenLurkin]

The details of the shootout in Beirut over the weekend which killed seven people and injured dozens remained unclear on Sunday morning, as the investigation and finger-pointing continued and as Lebanon prepared to mark two years since anti-government protests swept the nation.

The shooting began as Shi'ite Hezbollah and Amal supporters marched through the Tayouneh area of Beirut where it meets Ain El Remmaneh and Chiyah, a site famous for sectarian clashes between Shi'ites, Sunnis and Christians during the 1975 civil war in Lebanon, as it marked the border between east and west Beirut.

The Lebanese Forces have rejected the claims, saying the shooting was because of incitement caused by Hezbollah’s leaders against Tarek Bitar, the judge in charge of investigating the 2020 Beirut Port blast, and that the claims were an attempt to divert attention from Hezbollah’s invasion into the area.

The movement pointed out that Hezbollah operatives were clearly seen in many videos entering safe neighborhoods with automatic weapons, and stated that the shooting was an attempt to use violence and intimidation to overthrow the investigation into the port explosion.

Both sides have urged calm from their supp quickly pointed the finger at the Christian Lebanese Forces movement, claiming that the movement had sniped protesters from nearby rooftops in a planned ambush.

The Lebanese Forces have rejected the claims, saying the shooting was because of incitement caused by Hezbollah’s leaders against Tarek Bitar, the judge in charge of investigating the 2020 Beirut Port blast, and claims were an attempt to divert attention from Hezbollah’s invasion into the area.

The movement pointed out that Hezbollah operatives were clearly seen in many videos entering safe neighborhoods with automatic weapons, and stated that the shooting was an attempt to use violence and intimidation to overthrow the investigation into the port explosion.

[SunkenCiv]

..the shooting was because of incitement caused by Hezbollah’s leaders against Tarek Bitar, the judge in charge of investigating the 2020 Beirut Port blast, and that the claims were an attempt to divert attention from Hezbollah’s invasion into the area.

The movement pointed out that Hezbollah operatives were clearly seen in many videos entering safe neighborhoods with automatic weapons, and stated that the shooting was an attempt to use violence and intimidation to overthrow the investigation into the port explosion.

[j.havenfarm]

Beirut, “Paris of the Middle East.” Christians and Muslims lived in peace. Alternated leadership in the government. This trip down memory lane for the benefit of the “Coexist” bumper sticker crowd

[SJackson]

Middle East and terrorism, occasional political and Jewish issues Ping List. High Volume If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.

[Eleutheria5]

They need common sense gun laws.

[Eleutheria5]

It used to be. Then King Hussein kicked the PLO out of Jordan just because they tried to overthrow him and help Syria to invade. So they moved to Beirut and—Presto!—civil war and chaos. All Israel’s fault, of course.