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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Lebanon army arrests 23 suspects in Sunday riots |
| 2008-01-30 |
| Military police have begun investigations into Sunday's incidents that left seven people killed in violent riots in Beirut's southern suburbs. A security source said the probe "will continue very seriously and quickly to uncover the circumstances" of the deaths. He said outcome of the investigation will be formally announced "so that measures against the military institution as well as against those proven to be involved in beyond-the-limit acts can be taken." A judicial source, meanwhile, said the army has detained 50 and arrested 23 suspects pending investigation. The source said there was no confirmation that snipers were involved in Sunday's incidents despite the fact that some people were arrested from rooftops. He said investigators were trying to determine whether a "third party" was involved in the shootings and raised fear that the use of gunfire was intended to stir up trouble on the ground. Prime Minister Fouad Siniora labeled the eight victims who fell in Sunday's unrest "martyrs of the entire nation." Information Minister Ghazi Aridi urged the various political factions to "be aware of the delicate period the country was going through." He said after a late Monday ministerial meeting that the government backs both security forces and the army command, adding that the cabinet was awaiting outcome of the investigations. Aridi said no mercy will be shown to those found responsible for the shootings Sunday. |
| Posted by:Fred |