Calm returns to Lebanon after standoff killed 3 in Bekaa

Source: Al-Manar TV, 17-06-2006

Just hours after US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice made a surprise visit to Lebanon, security situation returns to light with clashes erupting in the Bekaa region changing all priorities. Is it just a coincidence or is it the preliminary outcome of her visit?

While Lebanese were hoping their national unity government would finally be formed and announced, news came from somewhere else, mainly from the Bekaa region.

Violent clashes broke out on Monday night in Saadnayel and Taalbaya in the middle Bekaa, killing three people and wounding four others. News reports said rocket-propelled grenades, mortars and machine gunfire were used in the fighting that took place in the two villages.

It was not known what triggered the clashes which began shortly before midnight and raged well into the morning hours.

Among the victims was a school teacher identified as Samira Mahmoud Shukr who was killed by gunfire as she stood at the balcony of her apartment. The other casualties included a man and his son whose car came under gunfire. The father, Hasan Takesh, was killed while his son sustained injuries. Another man, Bassam Ghazi, was killed as he drove past Saadnayel and his two sons were wounded.

News reports said fighting dwindled around 1:30 am after Lebanese army tanks ringed bases on the highlands of the villages of Tweiti and Qommal in the Bekaa and warned fighters they would silence the source of gunfire.

Schools, banks and other businesses were closed in Taalbaya and Saadnayel on Tuesday for fear of renewed fighting. More Lebanese troops, backed by commando units, were dispatched early Tuesday to beef up security in the embattled areas.