Toufeili backs out on campaign
Lebanon, Politics, 12/5/1997

A Shiite Muslim cleric leading a "hunger revolt" in eastern Lebanon's Bekaa Valley has backed out on his anti-government campaign after receiving promises that the government would begin the implementation of development projects in the impoverished region.

Sheikh Sobhi Toufeili, former secretary-general of the Hizbullah guerrilla group, announced Thursday the suspension of all protest actions as a goodwill gesture.

"As a gesture of goodwill, we suspend the decision to block roads to an unspecified date," Toufeili's spokesman, Sheikh Khodr Tlas, said. The move to block roads and stage mass demonstrations had been scheduled for December 14 and 15.

Tlas added that the decision to ban ministers and deputies from visiting the Baalbek-Hermel region was being reversed.

Toufeili's decision came a day after Cabinet gave the go-ahead for implementation of several development projects in the Bekaa. It also came after contacts between Toufeili and House Speaker Nabih Berri during which the speaker pledged to lend more attention to the region.

Toufeili had on July 4 launched his hunger revolt, urging his followers to halt all payment of taxes and public utility fees until the government took action to improve living conditions in the long-forgotten area.

Previous Stories:
  The Army in the Bekaa   (11/15/1997)
  Developments concerning the Bekaa issue   (11/10/1997)
  Toufeili threatens ministers   (11/4/1997)

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