Dozens of activists and intellectuals participated today, Thursday, in the funeral of the Lebanese writer and political activist Luqman Salim, at his home in the southern suburbs of Beirut, amid demands to reveal the circumstances of his murder and hold those involved in his assassination accountable.

A week after he was found shot dead in the south of the country, Selim's family today organized a ceremony honoring their deceased in the garden of their home in Haret Hreik.

The family placed a marble plaque in the middle of the garden in memory of Salim, attached to a verse for Al-Mutanabi, in which he said, "I stood and what is in death no doubt is for standing as if you are in the eyelid of evil while asleep."

The ceremony, which witnessed supplications and prayers from Muslim scholars and Christian clerics, was attended by a number of Western diplomats and friends, in the absence of official (government) representation.

Salim was assassinated last Thursday with 5 bullets, and his body was found in the Al-Adousiya area, in the south of the country.

Salim, 58, is a researcher and thinker who worked in the field of defending human rights, documenting the memory of the civil war (1975-1990) and raising awareness of the importance of citizenship and equality in a country suffering from deep political and sectarian divisions and conflicts.

Positions and Claims

Saleem belongs to the Shiite community, but he has been a vocal critic of Hezbollah, the country's largest Shiite, political and military force, which is backed by Iran.

This did not prevent him from transforming his family home in the southern suburbs of Beirut, the stronghold of Hezbollah, into a headquarters for his work and activities and the center of the "Ummam" Association for documentation and research that he founded.

Hezbollah has condemned the killing, but his sister indicated that he may have been killed because of his anti-party activity.

During his memorial service, ambassadors of several countries, most notably the United States, called for an end to the culture of impunity prevalent in Lebanon.

During her participation in the honoring ceremony, Ambassador Dorothy Shea said on a rare visit by an American diplomat to the southern suburbs of Beirut, addressing his family, "You have been robbed and we have all been deprived of a great man. It is a barbaric act, unacceptable and unpardonable."

"He was a tireless person in his endeavors for the reconciliation of the Lebanese people and the promotion of freedom," she added, stressing that these efforts "will not be suppressed by fear and violence."

"We join you in demanding accountability for this horrific crime," the ambassador added.

The political activist Salim was known for his critical positions against Hezbollah (communication sites)

Transparent investigation

The German ambassador, Andreas Kindle, stressed - during his speech - that "what happened last week should not be forgotten," stressing that "we want and need a transparent investigation and an end to impunity."

In turn, the Swiss ambassador, Monica Schmutz Kergutz, stressed the importance of "accountability" and said that her country "lost a friend" but would continue to support the projects he worked on.

Several think tanks, non-governmental and international organizations have used Saleem's expertise and publications due to his daring approach to the most sensitive topics.

Several Western embassies have also provided financial support for projects documenting the memory of war and the missing.

In a brief speech, Selim's mother, Egyptian researcher and journalist, Salma Mershaq, blamed her son's companions and youth the responsibility of "building a country fit for you and Balqman," adding, "The burden is very heavy on you."

"Only use reason and logic," she said. "The weapon is not beneficial for the country and it has not helped me as a mother. My son was lost."