BEIRUT: Investigative Military Judge Fadi Sawwan issued an arrest warrant in absentia Tuesday for Lebanese suspect Mahmoud Hayek over the assassination attempt against MP Butros Harb in 2012.

Earlier this month, Military Prosecutor Saqr Saqr charged Hayek, a member of Hezbollah’s security apparatus, with the July 2012 attempt on Harb’s life.

Saqr also charged Hayek, who remains at large, with carrying out acts of terror after planting a bomb in the elevator of the building that houses Harb’s office in Badaro, Beirut.

Hezbollah has refused to hand over Hayek after his involvement in the case was uncovered, according to security sources.

Harb has accused Hezbollah of putting pressure on both political and judicial officials to prevent Hayek’s handover.