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Two aides to Lebanese Druze minister Saleh al-Gharib killed as convoy hit by gunfire in ‘clear assassination attempt’

  • Tensions simmer as attack is condemned by Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri

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Minister of State for Displaced Affairs Saleh al-Gharib arriving to attend a meeting of the Lebanese cabinet at the Presidential Palace in Baabda. Photo: AP Photo

Two aides to a Lebanese Druze minister were killed on Sunday when his convoy came under fire in an area of support for a rival Druze faction, in what the minister called an assassination attempt.

Saleh al-Gharib, Lebanon’s minister of state for refugee affairs, is close to pro-Syrian Druze leader Talal Arslan.

The Mount Lebanon town near Aley where the incident took place is an area of support for Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, a fierce opponent of the Syrian government and rival to Arslan. His Popular Progressive Party (PSP) denied any involvement.

In an interview with Lebanon’s al-Jadeed TV, Gharib said the incident had been “an armed ambush and a clear assassination attempt”.

“There appears to be a decision to blow up the situation on the mountain,” he said.

The National News Agency reported that a PSP member was wounded in the incident.

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