An office of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP) in Jdita, in the central Beqaa region, was attacked on Wednesday. Unknown individuals threw a Molotov cocktail inside the premises in the afternoon, leaving behind a Lebanese Forces (LF) flag.
This security incident occurred in a climate of tension, particularly following the murder of Pascal Sleiman, the LF coordinator for the Jbeil region.
Reacting to the attack, the SSNP accused the LF of being a “fifth column in the service of Israel.” In a statement, it said it would not stand idly in the face of the attacks on its offices.
The FL office in Zahle was quick to respond. It condemned the attack, asserting that the party was opposed to this kind of behavior. “We are committed to living together in Jdita, as well as all the towns and villages of Zahle,” read the statement.
In this context, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati gave instructions to the heads of the security services to clarify the circumstances of this aggression and arrest the perpetrators.
Mikati also contacted LF party leader Samir Geagea, asking him to act to avoid impulsive reactions during this time.
Geagea condemned the incident, stating that his party had nothing to do with it.
The attack was also condemned by the office of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) in Beqaa. In a statement, it stressed the need “to make every effort to maintain civil peace.”
The Free Patriotic Movement office in Zahle also denounced the incident.