Now Lebanon - Geagea says Beirut clashes target PM, STL - August 27, 2010

In an interview with Al-Liwaa newspaper published on Friday, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said that Tuesday’s clashes in Beirut targeted Prime Minister Saad Hariri and the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL).

Clashes broke out in the Beirut neighborhood of Bourj Abi Haidar on Tuesday between supporters of the Association of Islamic Charitable Projects—also known as Al-Ahbash—and Hezbollah, leading to the death of three people, including Hezbollah official Mohammad Fawwaz.

Al-Ahbash is a Sunni pro-Syrian group and describes itself as a charitable organization promoting Islamic culture.

“Such clashes will not succeed in intimidating Hariri or us,” Geagea said.

He called on the relevant state authorities to deal seriously with the investigations into the clashes and to reach a political agreement so as to prevent any future conflict.

The LF leader also said that he has information that his residence and the LF’s offices in Maarab are being monitored so as to possibly plan an attack on those two locations.

“The LF is dealing seriously with the information [it has obtained] before it decides on the next step it takes,” Geagea said.