Al-Rahi urges restraint in wake of Sleiman’s demise

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi issued a plea for calm and self-restraint in the wake of the uproar caused by the murder of Pascal Sleiman, a key figure in the Lebanese Forces in the Jbeil area, which has triggered widespread condemnation throughout Lebanon.

Following an army investigation that concluded Sleiman was slain by criminals attempting to hijack his vehicle, the Lebanese Forces are treating his death as a suspected political hit, urging their followers, however, to cease road blockades.

“In the face of these critical and volatile times, we advocate for forbearance and self-discipline,” al-Rahi stated, pressing for the legal and security apparatus to severely deal with the perpetrators.

Sleiman’s murder has been denounced by various political factions and figures, including the Maronite League, the Progressive Socialist Party, the Kataeb party, the Free Patriotic Movement, Marada party leader Suleiman Franjieh, Grand Jaafarite Mufti Sheikh Ahmed Qabalan, and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, all calling for moderation, wisdom, and resistance to succumbing to unfounded speculation and emotional reactions.

In a recent broadcast, Hezbollah’s leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah refuted allegations of his party’s involvement in Sleiman’s abduction, accusing critics of inciting sectarian discord.

“Nasrallah criticized the Lebanese Forces, Kataeb, and certain television networks for prematurely accusing Hezbollah of Sleiman’s abduction, lamenting the resurgence of sectarian rhetoric reminiscent of the civil war era. He reported attempts by Lebanese Forces supporters to intimidate people in Jbeil and Keserwan and to issue menacing threats.

An urgent session of the Central Internal Security Council has been scheduled to address the security implications following Sleiman’s murder.