Akkar desert town after protest over sheikhs deaths

Protesters blocked roads in Lebanon's northern Akkar region for a 3rd day Beirut – Georges Chahine The Akkar district in northern Lebanon has become a no-go area after a group of masked and non masked gunmen took control of the district, by cutting off roads to Al-Bireh town, where Sheikhs Ahmed Abdel Wahed and Hussein Moreb were killed last May. Tensions over the Lebanese military court’s decision to release 3 officers and 8 soldiers accused of killing the two sheikhs last May, have been increasing in recent days, resulting in chaos and widespread demonstrations. In a number of villages, witnesses reported roads blocked, including Mengaz and Al-Bireh Junction, Sheikh Mohamed village junction, Wadi Al Jamous Village junction, Khreibeh town junction and Halba Al Gouma road.  Witnesses also reported tents, burning rubber tires, rocks and sand blocking many of the roads. The main road between Tripoli and Akkar – Al Mahmara - was opened at 3.00 Friday afternoon, but many of the internal roads were blocked throughout the day. There have been numerous calls for the government to investigate the case of the two murdered sheikhs.  The family of Sheikh Abdel Wahed even gave the Government a deadline to refer his killing case to the Judicial Council, threatening a major escalation of the issue across Lebanon if it was not dealt with. In a press conference after the Friday prayer in Al Bireh, Deputy Khaled El Daher said: “Since the issuance of the decision, and even before the issuance, I personally warned with a number of preachers and leaders on March 14 - Muslims and Christians - of the consequences of diluting or politicising the case of Sheikh Abdel Wahed and his friend’s murder.” El Daher also stressed that the military court is not the suitable authority to investigate this case, renewing his demand to assign it to the Judicial Court. El Daher explained: “What we are asking for is justice and transparency as it is a national case”.