Phalange: Violence against Student Demos Reminiscent of Security Apparatus Practices

The Phalange Party condemned on Monday the security forces’ “spiteful” actions against the Phalange Party and National Liberal Party student rally on Saturday, saying that the demonstrators were expressing their opinions peacefully and under the rule of law.

It said in a statement after its weekly politburo meeting: “The security forces’ practices are reminiscent of the actions of the security apparatus the ruled Lebanon in the past.”

It demanded that the strictest of punishments be taken against the perpetrators, hoping that the investigations would reach the authority that ordered the use of violence.

The party vowed to its students that it will maintain its mission to ensure the rise of the civil state and confront attempts to distort Lebanon’s history.

Clashes broke out on Saturday between the Phalange Party and National Liberal Party students and security forces as the former were protesting against the new history book that is being examined by government.

Phalange Party MP Sami Gemayel has criticized the book, saying that it has been selective in recounting the country’s history.

Addressing the influx of Syrian refugees into Lebanon over the crisis in their country, the Phalange Party urged the government to “carefully deal with border crossings and take immediate action to control them.”

It also urged it to hold a census to determine the number of refugees, saying that the government should cater to the safety of peoples or groups that are suffering from political, security, or military instability as is the case in Syria.

Furthermore, the Phalange Party praised the Mustaqbal Movement’s recent document on the Arab Spring, saying that this document and Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel’s charter on the matter should help enforce the idea of partnership in Lebanon.

In January, Gemayel had unveiled a charter on the Arab Spring, stressing the importance of stability being reached after the success of the Arab revolts.