Lebanese Druze leader Walid Joumblatt. (Credit: NNA)
BEIRUT — Former head of the Progressive Socialist Party Walid Joumblatt on Sunday denounced the release of Mohammad Ayad, the main suspect arrested as part of the investigation into the death of Sean Rooney, a young Irish soldier with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) who was killed in December 2022 in southern Lebanon, the state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported.
"Frankly, the release of the suspect or individual accused of killing the Irish soldier in the incident that took place a year ago is a big mistake. May God forgive them," the former PSP leader said during a tour of the Chouf. Joumblatt stopped short of naming those he was targeting with his criticism.
Hezbollah had handed the suspect in question over to the authorities.
"Walid Joumblatt added, "If ever there was a people with its leaders and politicians who stand by the Palestinian cause, its leaders and politicians, it is the Irish people."
The Lebanese military justice system released Ayad on bail on Nov. 9. His release comes at a time when Hezbollah has set up southern Lebanon as a "support front" for Hamas in the latter's war against Israel, which began on Oct. 7. The conflict has spilled over into southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah and Israel now exchange fire daily.
In December last year, Rooney was killed and three other Irish soldiers were injured when their vehicle was attacked near the village of Aaqibiya in southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah has a strong presence. Ten days later, the pro-Iranian group handed Ayad, a party member suspected of being the main perpetrator of the attack, to the authorities
Turning to the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, Joumblatt reiterated his hope that Lebanon would not be drawn into the conflict. He expressed his fear that, should this happen, "no one will be able to control" the situation. "The situation could be worse than what we have experienced so far," he stressed, calling for "solidarity" and "unity of ranks."