Sunni Sheikh Ahmad Rifai, whose remains were found in Akkar in northern Lebanon. (Credit: NNA)
BEIRUT — Yehya Rifai was dismissed and stripped of his position as vice president of the Union of Central and Coastal Qaitaa Municipalities, Wednesday, L'Orient Today's correspondent in the region reported.
The mayor of Karkaf, Rifai, is currently under arrest, being among the suspects in the murder of his relative Sheikh Ahmad Rifai in Akkar, northern Lebanon.
In a statement the union called for the ongoing investigation of “the planned [and] heinous crime” to continue and insisted on the need “to bring all those involved to justice.”
On Tuesday, members of the municipal council of Karkaf in Akkar resigned from their positions and denounced in a statement “the criminal incident,” in reference to Ahmad Rifai's killing. As a result of their resignations, Yehia Rifai by default loses his position as head of the Karkaf municipality.
The Lebanese Army had reported that its intelligence services conducted two operations as part of the investigation Monday and discovered the murder weapon near the home of suspect Yehya Rifai, the victim's cousin.
Ahmad Rifai's body was found buried in Akkar Sunday, a week after his disappearance.
Five suspects have been arrested in connection with his kidnapping and murder, including the son and nephews of Yehya Rifai. The preliminary investigation suggests that the victim's abductors lured him into an ambush, following a family dispute.
Ahmad Rifai was known for his anti-Hezbollah stance and opposition to the pro-Iranian axis in Lebanon. According to press reports, his last sermon was about drug trafficking in areas under Hezbollah influence.
The party denied any link to the murder, after several figures accused it of being behind the assassination.
Additional reporting by Michel Hallak