Lebanese Imam escapes assassination

A leading Imam in the Lebanese city of Tripoli has escaped an assassination attempt, it has emerged today. Sheikh Salem el-Rafie, an Imam of Taqwa Mosque in Tripoli was apparently held at gunpoint in front of the mosque on Tuesday. In statement released after the event, Sheikh Rafie said a young man approached him at the mosqe on Tuesday, threatening him with a gun. However, the Imam said the suspect ran off after hearing footsteps from inside the mosque. Speaking to local media organisation, Sheikh Rafie said he did not recognise the suspect and refuse to speculate on his identity. The spiritual leader also confirmed that this is not the first incident of its kind in recent months. In March, the muezzin of the mosque was targeted in a similar attack, although that incident was never made public. Sheikh Rafie disclosed that he believe the Taqwa Mosque is a particular target for pro-Assad insurgents because of its open support for the Syrian opposition. “The insurgents do not target me specifically. They target the mosque to raise panic among people who support the Syrian people,” he said. The Imam is now calling on the international community to do more to support the Syrian people, saying “the world has failed as a whole to support the Syrian revolution.” He also urged for peace in Lebanon, so “we can avoid sectarian tensions.” Sheikh Rafie also denied claims that the mosque was sending Lebanese fighters to Syrian, in a bid to support the Syrian opposition. “I do not agree with interference, as that will fuel sectarian violence. The Taqwa Mosque has only provided humanitarian assistance to the Syrian refugees,” he concluded.