Assault on Future Movement activist Nisreen Aql

June 14 2009, Unknown assailants burned the vehicle of al-Mustaqbal Movement activist Nisreen Aql in her hometown of Labaya in the western Bekka.

2 Wounded in Security Mishap between Mustaqbal, Saad's Men in Sidon

Security forces early Friday restored calm to the southern city of Sidon soon after a midnight mishap between Ossama Saad's bodyguard and Mustaqbal Movement supporters left two people wounded.

A statement by Saad's Popular Nasserite Organization (PNO) said an armed Mustaqbal Movement "gang" ambushed one of the group's cars, a Lada, carrying Saad's daughter, Manar, and a bodyguard, who "miraculously survived."

Meanwhile, another Mustaqbal Movement group, opened up heavy gunfire on the houses of PNO partisans in Dar al-Mir neighborhood in the old district of Sidon, the statement added.

The daily An Nahar on Friday, citing PNO sources, said Saad's car had just passed by Quds Square shortly before midnight when a Mustaqbal vehicle intercepted it, breaking the windshield.

This, according to the sources, prompted the bodyguard/driver to shoot at the assailants, wounding two men identified as brothers Bilal and Akram Hankir. They were taken to Sidon's Hammoud Hospital.

Mustaqbal Movement sources, however, said the incident erupted when Saad's driver shot at the Hankir brothers, provoking interference by friends who rushed to Quds Square, breaking the car's windows.

The mishap quickly developed and dozens of Sidon residents took to the streets, many gathering outside Saad's mansion, to express their anger.

Lebanese army and police dispatched forces to restore order to the city, setting up checkpoints and running patrols.

Saad stressed that Sidon's security was a "redline." He urged fellow citizens to exercise calm and avoid being driven to civil strife.

Booby Trap Parcel Defused at the General Security Department

A package containing about 150g of explosives was found Friday at the General Security Department headquarters in Beirut.

General Security members at the headquarters in Adlieh detected the package among others.

A military expert inspected the package that contained about 150g of TNT and C4 explosives and a timer, the National News Agency reported.

Security reports explained that the package did not detonate due to technical failure.

Voice of Lebanon radio said initial investigation revealed that the sender of the booby trapped package is called Mahdi al-Hajj Hassan. MTV also said that the man lives in Beirut's southern suburbs.

2 Hand Grenades Near Jdeideh School, Mortar in Sidon

Two hand grenades were found on Thursday at the entrance to Sagesse school in Jdeideh, north of Beirut.
Voice of Lebanon radio said a student found a black plastic bag containing the grenades and brought them inside the school thinking they were toys.
Security forces, who arrived to the school, inspected the grenades and transported them to an army post for further inspection.
In another security development, an old mortar not set to explode was found Thursday morning at the southwestern area of the southern port city of Sidon's garbage dump, the National News Agency reported.
A percussion bomb also exploded around midnight near the house of an Imam in the Western Bekaa town of Kamed al-Lawz. Security forces opened an investigation after the windows of Imam Mohammed Majzoub's vehicle were shattered.
In another incident in Hermel, Hanan Hassan Hashem,15, was killed during a gunfight between Issa Hussein Shehab Allaw and Ali Jaber Hamadeh.
National News Agency: A quarrel between the Miqdad and Shammas families at Haret Hreik has developed into gunfire leading to one female injured.
source: Naharnet
Beirut, Updated 11 Jun 09, 17:37

Assaults on MP Sabaa's House, Skirmishes in Bakhoun and Upper Metn

Parliamentary elections were marred by a series of security mishaps, most remarkably the continuous attacks against al-Sabaa family in Beirut's Bourj al-Barajneh neighborhood.
Security forces, however, managed to curb the incidents which took place in a number of areas.
In this regard, the house of MP Bassem al-Sabaa, who lost the Shiite seat in the majority March 14 coalition, was attacked for the third consecutive day.
Local media on Wednesday said Sabaa's home in Bourj al-Barajneh was attacked with stones and there were attempts to break into the house, where both his family and brother's family live.
Also overnight, a relative of Sabaa was beaten up in Bourj al-Barajneh by members of a political party, they said.
Sabaa, in a statement, called on Speaker Nabih Berri and Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah to "personally interfere" to stop what he termed "raids" against his house and the houses of many Sabaa family and relatives.
Sabaa said the same houses have been subject to attacks for the past three days by bike riders.
In a related incident, the Lebanese Forces website reported Wednesday that 24-year-old Maya Kayrouz was attacked as she drove her car on the Jbeil highway.
The website claimed that Kayrouz - who had pictures of LF leader Samir Geagea plastered on her car - was shot at by armed men in two Mercedes cars and hoisting Hizbullah flags as she drove over al-Fidar bridge. There was no immediate reaction from Hizbullah nor was it possible to verify the report from other sources.
Kayrouz's car went ablaze after the assailants deliberately crashed into it and pushed it over the bridge. The woman was rushed to a hospital, where she is reported to be in serious condition.
Meanwhile, the car of journalist Sanaa al-Jack, a journalist working for pan-Arab Asharq al-Awsat daily, was reportedly attacked Tuesday night.
Media reports said unknown assailants tore up the wheels of Ms. Jack's car that was parked outside her house in Beirut's Barbour neighborhood and poured oil on its engine.
Also in Bakhoun in Dinniyeh, the army and security forces contained skirmishes between citizens over the elections at dawn Wednesday.
The army arrested several people suspected of involvement in the scuffles that landed a number of injured in hospital.
As for the town of Douar in the upper Metn, Lebanese Forces supporters and Syrian Social National Party partisans clashed against the backdrop of election results. But security forces brought the situation under control.

Beirut, Updated 10 Jun 09, 20:15

source: naharnet

Compilation of security-related reports on Election day

One injured in Bab al-Tabbanah, and the army reestablishes order.

According to a reporter form NNA, a dispute occurred in Bab al-Tbbanah in Tripoli between Omar karameh proponents, and those of MP Mhammad Kabbarah. The dispute engendered one injury, Alaa al-Kabbout. The latter was hospitalized in The Islamic Hospital of Tripoli.

The Lebanese army immediately interfered, and reestablished order.

New Measures by Interior Minister

Interior and Municipalities Ministry issued a statement in which it mentioned that Interior and Municipalities Minister asked polling centers' heads to allow every three voters to enter together to the polling centers rooms, in order to quicken the electoral operation and allow the biggest number of voters to cast their votes; provided that they enter individually to the voting booth according to procedures and regulations without causing any disturbances to the voting process inside the polling center.

Judge Mirza accuses two persons of Identity Forgery

General prosecution Judge Saiid Mirza issued an order to arrest two persons accused of identity forgery. The first one is from north Metn and was moved to Justice Palace, Beirut for investigation, while as the second is from Tripoli and the North appeal court Judge was assigned to investigate with him.

Security incident in Sheyyah- Ein Remaneh

National News Agency correspondent reported that a security incident occurred in Ein-Remaneh-Sheyyah area. Shooting in open air was reported. An Army unit immediately arrived at the scene and worked on dispersing the trouble-makers.

MP Hariri requests a speedy solution for polling congestion

Future Parliamentary Bloc head, Deputy Saad Hariri, said in statement he delivered after casting his vote at Ras Beirut Public School that the Interior Ministry is responsible for finding a speedy solution for resolving traffic and congestion in the whereabouts of polling stations, expressing hopes at the same time that facilitations be insured so as not to make citizens wait for long in line. Moreover Hariri described the situation as "excellent" and saw serious work in the making for the success of elections.

Hariri went on to call on all the Lebanese to head to polling stations and enjoy the beautiful feeling of voting for the candidate they favor most, since this special right is not available to all the citizens of the world.

On the Security level, Hariri assured that the electoral operation is taking place under intensive security measures, and heavy turnout of Lebanese voters.

Karameh: Elections are taking place peacefully

Former Prime Minister, Omar Karameh, gave his vote today, following which he stated that he is carrying out his duties towards his people and city. He added that Tripoli is in need of those who defend it.

Karameh considered that today's electoral operation is taking place in a good manner, describing the general atmosphere of said elections as peaceful.

Hizbollah Supporters Violent Provocations in Hadath

Hizbollah supporters stepped up their violent provocations in Hadath, a Christian area that links Hizbollah stronghold in west Beirut to the east part of the city. The Lebanese army was deployed in the area after Hizbollah supporters stoned the Hadath city hall. Soon after, violence erupted from different part of the city near Saint Teresa Hospital where Lebanese army opened fire on a motorcade of unlicensed vehicles & motorcycles belongs to Hizbollah supporters trying to enter the area.

Army Commander follows up the ongoing electoral operation

Army Commander, General Jean Qahwaji, followed-up from Yarzeh operations chamber the ongoing electoral operation and existing coordination between the Army, security apparatuses and concerned state institutions. General Qahwaji was also briefed over the situation of military units and their field measures in the various Lebanese areas, especially with respect to establishing checkpoints, running patrols and deployment of forces, in a bid to ensure citizens' safety and security.

Qahwaji also gave instructions to ensure accurate and speedy follow-up of various arising incidents. General Qahwaji stressed that there will be no leniency in dealing with any violation, regardless of its scope, stressing that no one will be allowed to tamper with security.

sources: Multiple & Translated (NNA, Naharnet, AFP)

Lebanese Internal Security Forces Complete Security and Logistics Preparations For Election Day

Lebanese Internal Security Forces (ISF) anounced today that it has completed the security and logistics preparations for election day.  12115 ISF officers have been positioned at the 1753 voting centers throughout the country.

Timeline: Attacks against the "Lebanese Option Gathering" political party.

A compilation of some of the attacks against the "Lebanese Option Gathering (LOG)" political party.  The LOG, headed by Ahmad Al Assaad, is the main opponent of Hizbollah in the Lebanese Shiite community:

• January 11, 2009: LOG members and supporters took to the streets in the city of Tyre, in South Lebanon, calling on the Lebanese government to protect them from the increased Hezbollah attacks. LOG official statement stated that the armed Hezbollah attacks on its members and supporters is a clear sign that Hizbollah will not allow free and democratic election. 
  
• March 2, 2009: LOG offices located in Shiyah, an area controlled by Hezbollah, were shot at by unknown assailants. 
  
• April 10, 2009:  The head of the LOG political party, Ahmad Al Asaad, accused Hizbollah members of attacking his party supporters.  “In the last few months, we got used to Hizbollah burning our cars, threatening and terrorizing our members, and now, that the election draws near, they are stepping up their attacks. Within 24 hours from our campaign ceremony where we announced the names of our candidates, the car of our party official member Ahmad Hjazi who was in charge of the event was burned. Also another official Akil Housain was kiddnaped and held for 2 hours”   The Head of LOG added  that these attacks took place in Hizbollah controlled area accusing Hizbollah secretary general of rejecting any moderate voice among the Shiites Community.   Al Assaad revealed that the Lebanese authorities have the names of these attackers but they are incapable of acting against them.
  
• April 11, 2009:  The convoy of “Lebanese Option Gathering” political party founder Ahmad Assaad came under attack during a campaign visit to the town of Taybi in Hezbollah controled area. The attackers surrounded the convoy and attacked with sticks and stones injuring several in the convoy and destroying many cars. The Lebanese army was unable to stop the attack.
  
• April 11, 2009: A car belonging to a LOG member was burned in the Hizbollah controlled area of Rwaiss.  
  
• April 13, 2009: A car belonging to LOG party member was burned in the town of Adaysi, in South Lebanon, a Hizbollah stronghold. 
  
• April 20, 2009: LOG issued a statement condemning the attacks on party members in Hizbollah controlled area by known individuals belonging to Hizbollah and their supporters in the March 8 camp.  LOG official Khalil Atwi suffered severe wounds and broken bones and his vehicale was destroyed. The attackers then followed Atwi home where they threatened his family members.   The statement emphasized that attacks against LOG members aimed to terrorize them and stop them from any political campaigning before the elections.   
  
• May 7, 2009: Lebanese Candidate for 2009 parliamentary election in Zehrani district, Riyad Al Assaad, accused armed Shiite rivals of attacking him while he was campaigning in the town of Sarafand in South Lebanon.  Candidate Riyad Ahmad asked the Lebanese government for protection.
  
• May 25, 2009:  In the town of Harouf, a Blue Toyota van belongs to LOG member Hassan Hareb, was burned.
  
• May 26, 2009: Residents of a building in a Hezbollah controlled area where an office for LOG party is located received unknown calls asking them to evacuate the building right before the LOG office came under Molotov attacks and was burned.