BEIRUT — Hezbollah’s parliamentary group warned against “provocations” that could “hinder” the May 15 parliamentary elections in a statement issued after the deputies’ weekly meeting, referencing the numerous security incidents which occurred in the past few days.
Here’s what we know:
• “Ensuring that the parliamentary elections are held is the duty of all Lebanese, regardless of their religion, confession or political or civic affiliation," the Hezbollah-backed deputies affirmed after their weekly meeting. "Raising doubts, making provocations and exaggerating the interpretation of certain developments and incidents in order to create tension is an irresponsible act which is condemned because it sows confusion in the electoral process and could hinder the holding of the poll,” they warned. The deputies finally called for "respect for laws" and "the avoidance of chaos,", while Lebanon has recently witnessed tension in several regions.
• Over the past weekend, demonstrators accused the Lebanese navy of sinking a boat carrying illegal migrants off the coast of Tripoli (North Lebanon). Protesters also attacked Energy Minister Walid Fayad as he left a bar accusing him of being drunk while several people were still missing in connection with the tragedy from Tripoli. While other protestors in Akkar attacked a motorcade belonging to MP Hadi Hobeiche. A rocket was also launched from Lebanon towards Israel, which was met with retaliatory strikes, which did not cause any casualties or damage.