LEBANESE far-right militia leader Samir Geagea has been charged in relation to deadly violence that erupted in the capital Beirut last October.

Snipers from the Lebanese Forces militia opened fire from rooftops on a march by hundreds of supporters of the Shi’ite Muslim Hezbollah and Amal movements as they headed towards the Palace of Justice.

At least seven people were killed and more than 30 wounded in the clashes that followed the ambush, with battle raging on the streets for hours. 

Among the dead was Meryem Farhat, who was shot through the head as she prepared to collect her child from a kindergarten. Sniper fire also killed delivery driver Ali Ibrahim. 

Judge Fadi Akiki said on Thursday that the charges were brought after “new evidence” emerged, but he gave no further details.

The Lebanese Forces, which has consistently denied involvement in the attack, insisted that the charges were politically motivated.

Mr Geagea was summoned to appear before a military intelligence hearing in October 2021, but he refused to attend.

The far-right Christian leader is a convicted war criminal, having been sentenced to life in prison for ordering four political assassinations, including the 1988 killing of former prime minister Rashid Karami.

He was released under an amnesty following the so-called Cedar Revolution in 2005.

However, for many Lebanese, he will always be associated with the killing of scores of people, including the 1994 bombing of Sayidat al-Najat church in Jounieh, which left 10 people dead and 54 wounded.

Mr Geagea enjoys the support of the United States and Saudi Arabia, which see his Israeli-trained militia as a bulwark against Hezbollah.