Hariri’s sister targeted in assassination plot in South Lebanon

The Lebanese authorities have reportedly received information about a plot to assassinate top officials in the southern city of Sidon, including MP Bahia Hariri.

Al-Liwaa daily quoted sources as saying on Monday that the plot against the officials aims to create strife in the country.

The report, citing unnamed sources, said security agencies have thwarted a “serious” scheme to assassinate high-ranking Sidon personalities with the aim of creating sectarian strife starting from the southern provincial city.

The sources said Hariri and her son Ahmed Hariri, who is the secretary general of al-Mustaqbal Movement are on the list of targets.

Bahia Hariri is the sister of slain former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

Among others on the list, which is designed to target political figures across Lebanon, were Sheikh Maher Hammoud, a prominent Sunni preacher who is an ally of Hezbollah, and Mohammad Dirani, a commander in the Hezbollah-affiliated Resistance Brigades.

Al-Liwaa said security agencies made several arrests in the assassination plot, adding that other suspects remain at large.

The report came as Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awad Asiri expressed concern that he may also have been a target in the assassination plot.

Asiri, speaking from Riyadh by telephone with Al-Liwaa, said he will request “clarification from Lebanese authorities regarding information” on the assassination plot against him and other political figures across Lebanon.

The Saudi envoy said he was seeking “a confirmation or denial” of the report.

Naharnet