NNA - MP Khaled Daher said Saturday to Voice of Lebanon Radio that the army has placed Arsal under siege, which is "unacceptable," and accused the Syrian regime and its domestic affiliates of targeting Arsal for siding with Syrian rebels as he hailed Khaled Al Hameed's martyrdom.


Daher confirmed that Arsal Mayor Ali Hujairi was still in the town. He called on the President and LAF commander to hold accountable those responsible for what happened in Arsal, calling for an investigative commission into what he termed as faulty behavior by the military.

He acknowledged that Khalid Hameed was an activist alongside the Syrian opposition, and said he is proud of his martyrdom.

The MP defended actions of some of the town's people following an ambush set for a unit from the Lebanese army pursuing the wanted Hameed.


"The people of Arsal carried the wounded to the municipal building to offer them first aid."


He denied that any kind of torture or maiming of bodies occurred, "which was confirmed by families of martyrs Bashaalany and Zahraman."


"The Syrian regime is seeking to tarnish the image of the Sunni areas in Lebanon and portray them as endorsing extremists and terrorists,"
Daher categorically denied the existence of any members of al-Qaeda in Lebanon.

On Saturday, Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Beshara Rahi, left Beirut bound for Damascus to celebrate Saint Maroun's day.


"It's at the wrong time and place and will be interpreted as support for President Bashar Assad," Daher commented.



==============R.Z.