Toufeili threatens ministers
Lebanon, Politics, 11/4/1997

Security in Hermel-Bekaa was at center stage in yesterday's parliamentary meeting at the Nijmeh square. MPs Sami Khatib and Mohammed Al-Mais denied rumors that they were attacked by breakaway Sobhi Toufeili's followers when they went to the Baalbek area. Toufeili recently called on his followers to prevent ministers and MPs from entering the Bekaa-Hermel area.

The issue was also discussed when a delegation of Bekaa deputies visited speaker Nabih Berri at his residence in Ein-El-Tineh. According to the sources, the speaker promised to find a solution to this problem.

Berri also met with MP Khatib and attorney general Adnan Addoum. During a press conference in the afternoon, Addoum said that the judiciary body bases its decisions on proven facts. There are, thus, no measures to be taken now in the Bekaa, especially since the deputies have denied the attack.

Meanwhile, President Elias Hrawi discussed security and local elections with interior minister Michel Murr, yesterday in Baabda. After the meeting, Murr told reporters that the president is supporting the appointment principle in the local elections because it is essential to the preservation of the National Agreement.

Murr also referred to the security issue in the Bekaa, saying that he is going there any time he wants, not to challenge anyone but to see the area as any other citizen has the right to. This was in reference to threats made by Sobhi Toufeili saying that he would not allow Lebanese MPs to visit the Bekaa area. Senior Hizbullah Officials have refused to give support to Tofeili's statements or assertions.

Previous Stories:
  Toufeili renews his warnings   (11/3/1997)
  Toufeili's disobedience ends peacefully in the Bekaa   (10/27/1997)
  Planned mutiny the only way to topple authorities says Toufeili   (10/14/1997)

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