Latest news with #Akkar
LBCI
4 days ago
- Politics
- LBCI
Shell fired from Syrian side wounds civilian in Akkar, North Lebanon: NNA
A Shilka shell fired from the Syrian side landed in the northern Lebanese town of Al-Dawseh in Akkar, wounding one civilian, according to the National News Agency.
LBCI
16-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Lebanon's deadly tradition: Stray bullets and lost lives in the 'epidemic' of celebratory gunfire
Report by Edmond Sassine, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian Celebratory gunfire remains a deeply rooted and dangerous practice in Lebanese society. So far, the Lebanese army has arrested 86 individuals, most for firing shots in celebration of municipal and mukhtar election results in the North Lebanon and Akkar governorates. This reflects a deeply rooted mindset in which individuals show little regard for human life, opening fire in celebration of a mayor, a municipal council member, or during any joyful or somber occasion, turning gunfire into a deadly ritual. One such victim is Mohammad Khaled, a young man from Ain al-Dahab in Akkar, who remains hospitalized after being wounded by a stray bullet fired by someone celebrating the election results last Sunday. These individuals show no remorse and appear indifferent to the families devastated by their reckless actions. Among the most heartbreaking examples is 7-year-old Naya Hanna, who was killed by a stray bullet during a celebration marking official exam results. Her death, along with numerous other tragedies involving children and women across the country, underscores the deadly consequences of this entrenched practice. The 86 people arrested—likely a number that will rise—will not be subject to the new legal provisions passed by Parliament last Thursday. Those provisions double the penalties for discharging firearms or facilitating gunfire, but they do not apply retroactively. Instead, current law will apply: one month in prison for firing a weapon, unless the shooter is proven responsible for causing a death. While increasing penalties, imposing fines, and enforcing legal action are all important, more critical is the development of a long-term plan to address the root causes of this phenomenon. This effort must involve coordination between the government, institutions, security agencies, civil society, NGOs, and influential community figures. Random gunfire and the killing of innocent people represent a cultural problem that must be addressed seriously, beginning in schools and through direct awareness campaigns in affected areas. Religious authorities must also be regularly warned about the dangers. As for the widespread possession of illegal firearms, a national strategy is needed to confiscate, regulate, and reduce their circulation, as part of a broader effort to prevent the tragedies they continue to cause.
LBCI
16-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
86 arrested over post-election shootings in North, Akkar, and Mount Lebanon: Sources tell LBCI
Sources told LBCI that 86 individuals have been arrested so far by the Lebanese Army on suspicion of involvement in shootings that occurred in the wake of the municipal and local elections. The incidents took place in the governorates of North Lebanon, Akkar, and Mount Lebanon, shortly after election results were announced.
Arab News
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Lebanon's parliament doubles penalty for celebratory gunfire
BEIRUT: Lebanon's parliament on Thursday approved an amendment to the law that aims to curb celebratory gunfire by doubling the penalties for those who fire shots into the air. The new law imposes stricter penalties for individuals involved in actions that have led to numerous injuries and fatalities in recent years. The action comes after Lebanese Army Command announced the arrest of eight people as part of efforts to identify those who fired gunshots during last Sunday's municipal elections in the North Lebanon and Akkar governorates. Army units, with support from a Directorate of Intelligence patrol, raided the homes of several suspects and seized weapons and ammunition they possessed. The skies over the North and Akkar governorates were illuminated last Sunday night by gunfire, celebrating candidates' victories in the municipal elections, where local families traditionally compete for seats on the city councils that govern their affairs. The celebratory gunfire caused injury to a young man, Mohammed Jihad Khaled, from the town of Ain Al-Dahab in Akkar. He is still fighting for his life after a bullet struck his head. He remains in a coma after being moved to the intensive care unit of a hospital. Journalist Nada Andraos was also injured by celebratory gunfire, as a bullet struck her leg after piercing the car she was in while covering the elections with her team from the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International. Andraos, who seemed stunned by the incident — especially since the bullet could have struck her head instead of her leg — commented on social media: 'In Lebanon, a stray bullet represents the value of life.' Victims' families often file lawsuits in court and with security agencies against unidentified people. Many offenders escape punishment, leading to repeated tragedies where celebratory gunfire accompanies even minor school achievements. The law prohibiting the firing of firearms into the air specifies that if such actions lead to a person's illness or incapacity that causes them to miss work for fewer than 10 days, the offender will face a prison sentence of nine months to three years, in addition to a fine ranging from 10 to 15 times the official minimum wage. MP Wadah Al-Sadiq said that the amendment had increased the penalty duration. Previously, the penalty ranged from six months to three years; now it begins at one year in prison and can go up to six years. The final decision will be made by the judge who issues the ruling. Information Minister Paul Morcos, an international human rights defender, welcomed the amendment. It serves as an additional deterrent, moving toward prohibiting such practices and ensuring accountability for perpetrators, he said. Lawyer Imad Al-Masri, who specializes in criminal cases, said: 'Any individual who discharges firearms or fireworks in populated areas or in the presence of a crowd, regardless of whether their firearm is licensed, will face a prison sentence of six months to three years. 'Additionally, they will incur a fine ranging from eight to 15 times the official minimum wage. 'The weapon shall be confiscated in all cases, and the perpetrator shall be referred to the military court for trial.' Al-Masri said that the military court imposes penalties on individuals who fire bullets into the air, ranging from fines to prison sentences of six months to two years. A judicial source said that the military court has numerous cases related to firing into the air. These offenses are punishable by law and escalate from a misdemeanor to a felony if the shooting results in casualties. Al-Masri said: 'Increasing the penalty is a deterrent if it is accompanied by strict prior measures and the enforcement of immediate prosecution and, most importantly, changing social behavior regarding this dangerous practice.' Riots continued for a second day in Roumieh Prison, Lebanon's largest prison, coinciding with the parliamentary session. Inmates are demanding the approval of a general amnesty law and a reduction in their imprisonment period. Tensions ran high among both convicts and detainees, some of whom hung symbolic gallows inside their cells as a form of protest. Lawyer Rabih Qais, the program manager at the Lebanese Foundation for Permanent Civil Peace and a longtime observer of prison affairs, said: 'The law proposal submitted by several MPs addresses the issue of delayed trials for detainees. 'Many of these people have spent years in prison, even though the sentences they might receive if tried could be significantly shorter than the time they have already served.' Qais said Lebanon 'evaluates every decision through the lens of sectarian power-sharing. 'As a result, many of those advocating for amnesty are Islamists and individuals from the Baalbek-Hermel region, many of whom are facing in absentia arrest warrants related to clashes with security forces or drug-related offenses. 'This may explain why the draft amnesty law was sent to parliamentary committees. However, what is truly needed is justice for the oppressed.'
LBCI
13-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Akkar district 2025 municipal and mukhtar election results released
The Lebanese Interior and Municipalities Ministry published on Tuesday the official results of the 2025 municipal and mukhtar elections of the Akkar district. Check the full results here.
