Lebanese leaders urge restraint after murders in disputed area triggers sectarian tension

RELIGIOUS NEWS AGENCY (REDNA) – Lebanese political and religious leaders have urged restraint after the killing of two brothers in the country’s north, seeking to head off sectarian tensions between neighboring towns.

Two brothers, Haitham and Malik Tok, were found dead on Saturday in Qornet al-Sawda, Lebanon’s highest mountain peak.

The area is under dispute between two neighboring towns, Maronite Christian Bsharri and Sunni Muslim Bkaasafrine, and clashes have occurred in the past over property rights.

The circumstances of the Tok brothers’ death remain unclear, with local media circulating accounts of a clash between the two towns or a possible clash with the Lebanese army.

The Army sent reinforcements to the area and has arrested dozens in connection with the killings.

A spokesperson from the army told The New Arab that there are “detainees from both sides,” but refused to provide further details as the investigation is still ongoing.

Sethrida Geagea, the MP for the area, called for the killers to be held accountable and for an investigation to be quickly conducted.