Calls to end strife in Christian area Ashrafieh caused by football fans, amid concern over instigation by ‘Hezbollah thugs’ BEIRUT: Former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora has called on all politicians, especially deputies representing Beirut, to ensure the capital’s unity and safety after tensions flared in the Christian area of Achrafieh on Saturday. The problems arose when dozens of people celebrating Morocco’s win over Portugal in the FIFA World Cup headed to the area on motorbikes carrying the flags of Morocco, Palestine and Syria, reportedly chanting religious slogans. The convoy clashed with locals when they were mistaken for members of Hezbollah and the Amal Movement. Soldiers were forced to intervene, and were able to contain the violence. Videos posted online showed fighting in Sassine Square, where traders recently finished their holiday season preparations. Siniora described what happened as “disturbing and suspicious at a moment of national and political congestion at all levels.” He added: “The capital of Lebanon is Beirut, the only unifying city that brings together all the Lebanese, and everyone should be aware of set traps and bad intentions, especially in these exceptional circumstances.” Siniora called on deputies representing Beirut to meet as soon as possible in Achrafieh to put an end to the tensions and reiterate their support for peace and the rule of law in Lebanon. The clashes resulted in heated sectarian rhetoric online, with some calling for self-policing in Achrafieh, and others claiming that Moroccan fans had not faced trouble in other areas of the capital. The district is often subject to stringent measures from the security forces whenever tension arises between the Shiites and Christians in the city. Deputy Nadim Bachir Gemayel, who represents Achrafieh, said that there had been unacceptable connotations made by activists, and called on the security forces to prevent any further escalations. Former Minister Richard Kouyoumjian, member of the Lebanese Forces party, said: “There is no place for mistakes. Understand it however you want.” Activists in Tariq El-Jdideh subsequently claimed that the motorbike riders were from their area and were photographed with injuries and bloodshed, and without Syrian flags. Former Achrafieh deputy Michel Pharaon said: “Achrafieh, just like any other city, is open to those who want to visit it respectfully and lovingly.” He added: “However, its inhabitants and the security forces will not receive provocateurs with open arms. Illicit self-security is suspicious and would also lead to strife. “No one can replace the army, and the people of Beirut will not fall into the trap of strife.” Achrafieh deputy Jihad Pakradouni said that Achrafieh "is neither a punching bag nor an open arena for provocations and unacceptable practices.” Mohanad Hage Ali, director of communications at the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center, said: “Self-security is not new, as Hezbollah has already turned its areas into reserves outside the state’s authority. “Before the party, weren’t the Palestinian camps a form of self-security reserves, having their weapons uncontrolled by the Lebanese state?” Hage Ali believes that “self-security is a legal reaction amid the disintegration of the state. However, it’s not the solution. It opens the door for conflicts between the regions under different titles, some of which are as silly as celebrating the win of a football team. “It also allows armed bands to emerge here and there. We fall into a bottomless pit once we move away from the state and the law.” The incident coincided with the head of the Free Patriotic Movement’s recent call to adopt decentralization before it was legally approved, and less than a month before the announcement of a neighborhood watch scheme established in Achrafieh with the aim of preventing increased thefts in the district.