Zahle—killings

Middle East Times reports:

The shooting deaths of two activists from a pro-government Lebanese Christian party on Sunday have underscored the level of political disarray over this small country.

The town of Zahle [in the Bekaa valley] was in mourning on Monday, a day after gunmen opened fire at members of the Phalangist Party during an inauguration of a new party office, killing two and wounding three others.

Police have launched a manhunt for the suspects, whom security sources said were Christian supporters of Zahle MP Elie Skaff, who is allied with the Hezbollah-led opposition.

Lebanese commentators say the attack not only highlights the growing division among the Maronite Christian community, but signals a dangerous level the political crisis has reached, particularly amid credible reports that some of the parties are arming and training militias.