Marwan Charbel warns against sectarian strife

Lebanon's caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel on Monday called for calm, advising Lebanese politicians not to issue judgments on the sectarian attacks shaking the country. "It's very important at this difficult stage not to make quick judgments because some (parties) are attempting to create Sunni- Shiite strife," Charbel said in statements to As Safir newspaper. He warned that "any hastiness in making accusations would lead to falling in the trap of strife." The remarks come after four people, two from the Jaafar family, one from the Amhaz clan and a Turk whose mother is Shiite, were killed Sunday in an ambush in a barren terrain near the northeastern towns of al-Qaa and Arsal. The Jaafar and Amhaz clans are well-known Shiite families in the region of Baalbek and Hermel and supporters of Hezbollah. Charbel noted that a previous attempt to create Sunni-Shiite strife was plotted when three Lebanese soldiers were killed in an ambush in Arsal, which is a majority Sunni town. But the army found the suspects and thwarted the plot of strife, Charbel said. He urged self-restraint and called for avoiding emotional reactions to Sunday's murder. On a related note, Charbel told Voice of Lebanon radio that he is in favor of announcing the eastern Bekaa valley a military zone, though "such a move requires several procedures." Security forces are taking serious measures to find the assailants behind the attack on the four men, Charbel added.