LF Holds Hezbollah Indirectly Responsible for Sleiman’s Murder

The Lebanese Forces (LF) demanded a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the murder of their Jbeil coordinator, Pascal Sleiman, stating they would regard his death as a political assassination until proven otherwise. In a statement released on Tuesday, they attributed Sleiman’s murder to factors they believe are linked to Hezbollah, emphasizing the group’s unauthorized presence as undermining state authority, leading to lawlessness and the proliferation of armed groups.

The statement criticized Hezbollah for weakening Lebanon’s control over its Syrian border and undermining state institutions, alleging that Hezbollah’s actions restrict the effectiveness of Lebanon’s judicial, security, and military bodies, especially in areas or cases associated with the Axis of Defiance.

Following the incident, seven Syrians were detained by the Lebanese Army on suspicion of their involvement in Sleiman’s murder amid rising tensions towards Syrian refugees in Lebanon. Despite initial speculation on social media about Hezbollah’s involvement, which was refuted by its leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, judicial sources indicated that the suspects confessed to intending to steal Sleiman’s vehicle.

The suspects reportedly assaulted Sleiman and abducted him in his car, intending to take him to Syria, where he succumbed to his injuries en route. Three of the suspects have been extradited from Damascus, with Sleiman’s body expected to be returned to Lebanon. His body was discovered in a lawless region near the Lebanese-Syrian border, a territory reportedly under Hezbollah’s influence.

This tragic event led to significant unrest in Jbeil, including roadblocks and social media videos showing violence against Syrians, reflecting the deep-seated tensions resulting from Syria’s prolonged civil conflict.

Human Rights Watch’s Ramzi Kaiss emphasized the necessity of a thorough and open investigation into Sleiman’s killing, highlighting the long history of unresolved politically charged murders in Lebanon and the urgent need for accountability.