Following the Wednesday night assassination of Lebanese Democratic Party Official Sheikh Saleh Aridi in a car bomb in Baysour, Lebanese leaders came out in condemnation of the crime.

Democratic Gathering bloc MP Marwan Hamadeh said that Aridi’s assassination targeted reconciliation in Lebanon, and Druze rapprochement in particular, a reference to PSP leader MP Walid Jumblatt’s attempts at reconciliation with Lebanese Democratic Party Leader Minister Talal Arslan,  which Hamadeh said protected and strengthened Mount Lebanon.

Hamadeh sent his condolences to the Druze sect through Minister Arslan and MP Jumblatt, who he said would continue the path of preserving peace in Lebanon, especially in Mount Lebanon.

General Secretary of the Lebanese Democratic Party Ziad Chouairy said that the crime was an attempt to hinder stability and reconciliation in Mount Lebanon. He told As-Safir that the timing of the “message” was doubtful, and it was aimed against modernity and stability.

Druze Spiritual Leader Sheikh Naim Hassan said that this “cowardly act” targeted national reconciliation, “which Lebanon is witnessing in this blessed month [of Ramadan].”

“All attempts to create conflict within the same sect will have a retroactive effect on the instigator,” he said, adding that all these “cowardly actions” would strengthen Lebanon and the Druze amid the current ambiance of reconciliation. He called on all Druze to be wise enough to avoid any conflict.

Change and Reform bloc MP Farid al-Khazen told the Voice of Lebanon radio station on Thursday that there was a terroristic and conflict-driven mentality that was targeting all of Lebanon, adding that national awareness would thwart attempts to create conflict.

“The security forces must take measures, however, it is evident that the criminals were cautious in performing their crimes,” he said.

-NOW Staff