Director of the Lebanese University's Faculty of Law and Political Sciences in Zahle (fourth branch), Dr. Antonios Abu Kasem, submitted his resignation after receiving threats from an influential party in the Bekaa region.

Abu Kasem became subject to intimidating pressure after he had issued a circular banning all religious practices inside the university's premises, arguing that the Lebanese University is a non-religious national academic establishment.

The circular led to the closure of a prayer room (Musalla) used by Muslims students.

In his resignation letter, Abu Kasem wrote that the Lebanese University's branches must not be turned into turfs controlled by parties, saying that his "irreversible" decision to step down is an act of protest against partisan meddling in the Lebanese University and militia-style practices.