Suspects identified in peacekeeper’s death, rejected election appeals, deadly gun violence: Everything you need to know to start your Friday

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An investigation by Lebanese security forces has identified suspects allegedly linked to the attack on a United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) convoy that killed one Irish peacekeeper and injured three others, a judicial source told AFP. Security forces have begun searching for "at least two people" who shot at the convoy upon its arrival at the South Lebanon village of al-Aaqbiya in what the investigation determined to be a "premeditated" attack. The source added that the convoy was “harassed and intercepted in two places before arriving at the scene of the incident.” The suspects reportedly shot at the convoy, killing peacekeeper Sean Rooney and injuring three others — one of whom, Shane Kearney, has been evacuated to Ireland to continue his treatment. Ireland's Foreign Affairs and Defense Minister Simon Coveney promised last Thursday three investigations into the incident: one led by Ireland, one by the UN and a third by Lebanon.

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, announcing a modest growth to the national economy after a two-year slump, expressed hope for “economic revival” conditioned by the election of a new president and the formation of a government committed to implementing reforms. Failure to end the executive vacuum and implement reforms, however, will lead to a “dark decline” and worsen “economic stagnation.” Mikati said the economy had grown by nearly 2 percent in 2022 after two straight years of severe recession that saw the GDP fall by 25.9 percent in 2020 and by 10.5 percent in 2021, according to World Bank figures. The caretaker premier credited the growth to increased remittances and tourism revenues following a summer boom as expatriates returned to visit, which is expected to recur during the current end-of-year period. Amid an economic crisis marked by a severe depreciation of the national currency, Lebanon faces a political deadlock that has left the country presidentless and governed by a caretaker cabinet with limited authority.

The Constitutional Council rejected the last two pending appeals to the May parliamentary election results, finalizing Parliament’s current composition. The council affirmed Metn (Mount Lebanon II) Lebanese Forces MP Razi al-Hage and Tashnag MP Hagop Pakradounian’s victories against Citizens in a State (MMFD) candidate Jad Ghosn. Ghosn obtained more preferential votes than Hage, but his list did not reach the electoral coefficient needed to be elected. Future Movement-affiliated Akkar (North Lebanon I) MP Ahmad Rustom will also retain his seat in Parliament after the rejection of FPM candidate Haidar Issa’s appeal. Out of the 15 appeals submitted, the council only accepted Tripoli leader Faisal Karameh’s objection against opposition candidate Rami Finge’s victory and Haidar Nasser against Firas Salloum (Independent) for an Alawite seat in the same constituency. The appeals have not had a major impact on Parliament’s composition despite initial fears that they would tip the scales in favor of traditional parties against opposition candidates. Despite noting electoral violations, election observers affirmed the validity of the polling results.

The Internal Security Forces denied allegations of collusion with the Christian extremist group Soldiers of God after reports of their deployment in response to an emergency call. The ISF’s statement condemned vigilante justice and denied any association with the “group mentioned by [Beirut MP Paula Yacoubian].” Yacoubian alleged that members of the group were referred to a woman’s house under ISF orders after she reported a robbery to the police hotline. The Soldiers of God gained infamy after members of the group defaced a billboard celebrating pride month (celebrating LGBTQ+ pride) containing a flower arrangement displaying the rainbow flag and the caption “#LoveAlwaysBlooms.”

A bystander died from gunshot wounds after an argument turned violent in Tripoli, North Lebanon. A gunman opened fire in the Tall neighborhood of Tripoli, shooting one man in the foot and catching a passerby in the crossfire. Security forces last week began implementing a "sustainable" security plan in Tripoli, developed in response to a series of deadly incidents in the area. Gun violence remains a recurring issue in Tripoli and across Lebanon. Officials' rhetoric ahead of the end-of-year period emphasized a zero-tolerance policy towards unregulated weapon use and celebratory gunfire — which regularly causes injuries and occasionally disrupts air traffic at the Beirut international airport.

In case you missed it, here's our must-read story from yesterday: "Paycheck to paycheck: The reality of Lebanese families three years into the economic crisis"

Compiled by Abbas Mahfouz