The kidnapping of Pascal Sleiman, the coordinator of the Jbeil district for the Lebanese Forces party, has sparked anger and protests in the Jbeil region, northeast of Beirut, where he originates. Following the announcement by the Lebanese Army that he was killed by his kidnappers while they were attempting to steal his car, hundreds of Lebanese Forces supporters took to the streets in the area and blocked several roads. Activists circulated videos on social media showing tires being burned and cars being attacked on the Jbeil highway, which was closed in both directions. Additionally, attacks on Syrians were reported.
The municipality of Khirbet Qanafar in West Bekaa stated that security agencies requested a curfew for all Syrians residing within the municipal boundaries, whether workers or refugees, starting Tuesday. They also instructed local residents not to employ any Syrian workers for any reason under the threat of legal action.
According to the Lebanese Army, Sleiman was killed by Syrian kidnappers while they were attempting to steal his vehicle. On Monday, the army announced on X that "following the issue of the kidnapped Pascal Sleiman, the Army Intelligence Directorate managed to apprehend most of the members of the Syrian gang involved in the kidnapping. During the interrogation, it was revealed that the kidnapped was killed by them during their attempt to steal his car in the Jbeil area, and that they transported his body to Syria." The army leadership clarified that it is "coordinating with Syrian authorities to deliver the body."
The Lebanese Forces party released a statement indicating that "the information leaked so far about the motives behind the crime does not seem consistent with the truth. We consider the martyrdom of our comrade Pascal Sleiman to be a deliberate act of murder with premeditation, and we regard it as a political assassination until proven otherwise." The party urged its supporters to "leave the streets and open the roads."
Earlier on Monday, Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah denied any involvement of his party in the kidnapping during a televised speech, asserting that those accusing the organization are inciting sectarian tensions. Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the crime in a statement released by his office, emphasizing "the continuation of investigations to uncover all circumstances behind the kidnapping and the culprits in the assassination of the kidnapped, and to bring them to justice." Mikati added, "In these trying circumstances, we urge everyone to exercise restraint and wisdom, and not to get carried away by rumors and emotions."
Who is Pascal Sleiman? He originates from Mifouq and lives between Hazmieh and Amchit. He is the IT manager at Byblos Bank, working at the central administration in Beirut. He is a young man who believes in Lebanon and the necessity of staying in the country. He is a father of three children, two boys and a girl, and is married to Michline Wehbe. His role in the party is administrative, not military, and everything he does is transparent. Pascal Joseph Sleiman was born in 1976 in Lebanon and graduated from the Faculty of Civil Engineering. He has been the coordinator for Jbeil in the Lebanese Forces party since 2019. He is married with three children and has worked for several years in the construction field. Pascal is known for his political and social activity in the Jbeil area, where he has continuously participated in local events and activities.
What happened to Sleiman? Details indicate that Pascal was being monitored before his kidnapping. He had a passenger in the car who stepped out, followed by a phone call between him and the head of the Lebanese Forces center in Amchit. They spoke for about thirty minutes, and the phone remained open for about forty seconds afterward. Following the kidnapping, there were ongoing rumors for more than 24 hours: he is alive, he was released, he has gone to the hospital, he returned to his family, he is in Geagea. Intelligence leaks were fabricated. The outcome: Sleiman was killed, and the crime is now before the judiciary.
