Lebanese soldier killed in gunfight in Dohet Aramoun
Lebanon”s Central Security Council on Tuesday announced an indefinite ban on motorbikes, provocative convoys, slogans or flag waving in Beirut, as a Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) soldier was killed during clashes between pro-government and opposition supporters in Dohet Aramoun.
A security report said a verbal altercation began on Tuesday evening in Dohet Aramoun, a town south of Choueifat, and soon degenerated into armed clashes that wounded several people and killed Hussein Mohammad Janbeh, a Lebanese soldier who was deployed with his unit to control the violence.
The security report added that the fight started when brothers Dany and Rami Abdel-Khalek, two residents of Dohet Aramoun, quarreled with a third resident, Ismail Dokka, believed to be a Hizbullah official, over a parking space.
The report said gunshots were then fired in the direction of the Abdel-Khalek brothers from the building where Dokka resides.
It added that the two brothers rushed to a nearby LAF checkpoint but the gunshots persisted, leading to the wounding of Janbeh, who died of his wounds while being rushed to a nearby hospital.
The LAF were immediately deployed in the area to control the situation.
But a statement issued by Hizbullah late Tuesday evening said the two Abdel-Khalek brothers "verbally harassed and beat up" Dokka, whom they identified as a religious cleric.
The statement added that when Dokka”s family and relatives rushed to help him, Dany Abdel-Khalek opened fired in their direction.
"A patrol from the LAF was inspecting the area and one of the soldiers fell victim to gunshots fires by Dani Abdel-Khalek," the statement added.
Hizbullah”s statement also said that the Abdel-Khalek brothers are supporters of the Progressive Socialist Party headed by MP Walid Jumblatt.
On Tuesday, the army command issued a statement mourning Janbeh as "a martyr who died in duty." The army statement added that investigations were under way to reveal perpetrators, "and a number of suspects have been arrested."
Also on Tuesday, the Future Movement issued a statement "firmly" denying all media rumors of its involvement clashes with Hizbullah supporters.
This was the second incident since deadly clashes between pro-government and opposition gunmen in early May killed at least 65 Lebanese and wounded scores more, in the worst internal fighting since the 1975-1990 Civil War.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese security council”s ban on motorbikes and celebratory convoys came one day after evening clashes in Beirut between rival factions on Monday left at least nine people wounded in the Beitut neighborhood of Corniche al-Mazraa.
"Motorbikes will be banned in Beirut effective at 6:00 p.m. on May 27, 2008, until further notice," a statement issued following the council”s extraordinary meeting said.
The Central Security Council comprises representatives from the LAF, the Internal Security Forces, General Security and army intelligence and is headed by the Interior Minister.
The council said on Monday that politically charged demonstrations such as "marches, regardless of their nature" and convoys "will be prohibited in Beirut" and sanctions taken against anyone breaking the law.
It is common practice in Beirut for supporters of rival political factions to drive around the city waving party flags, blaring slogans on loudspeakers and shooting into the air.
The measures have been taken to "strictly control the security situation in the capital," the statement said.
A security official said that motorbikes used for food delivery would also be affected by the ban, but not motorcycles used by the press.