BEIRUT: A Lebanese bishop was attacked Sunday by a group of young men in the northern city of Tripoli, security sources told The Daily Star.

The group of young men attacked Bishop Abdullah Skaf and his son after the bishop asked them to move away from the area outside the Roman Catholic church in Tripoli’s al-Zahriyeh neighborhood.

The sources said the young men were suspected to be either drunk or on drugs.

An urgent meeting was held after the incident between local religious figures, both Muslim and Christian, and other dignitaries.

Bishop Skaf asked for a complaint his son filed against the young men to be withdrawn and said he forgives them.

The bishop also refused to make any statements to the media, so as to avoid provoking any strife in the northern city.