Mashnouq on FPM Protests: Any Democratic Action is Acceptable as Long as it Remains Peaceful
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq stressed that demonstrations and other forms of democratic expression are a right reserved by the constitution, reported As Safir newspaper on Wednesday in anticipation of scheduled protests by the supporters of the Free Patriotic Movement later in the day.
The minister told the daily: “Any lawful democratic action is allowed as long as it does not cause any problem or security unrest.”
FPM chief MP Michel Aoun announced on Tuesday that his supporters will be holding protests against the extension of the terms of top military officers.
Security and military forces have since reinforced their measures in downtown Beirut and at other state institutions ahead of the demonstrations, reported al-Joumhouria newspaper on Wednesday.
Internal Security Forces chief Major General Ibrahim Basbous told the daily: “The measures are very normal and they are the same ones taken during any extraordinary development.”
“They aim to preserve the institutions,” he added.
“Our measures are primarily aimed at protecting the demonstrators and we therefore cannot separate our presence from that of the army,” he continued.
Military sources meanwhile told the daily that the army “will not stand as an obstacle against any peaceful and democratic movement.”
“It will not be lured into a confrontation, but it will protect the protestors,” they emphasized.
“It is its duty to protect the demonstrators despite the assaults against it,” they said in reference to scuffles that broke out between the army and FPM protestors the last time they held a rally.
They had rallied on July 9 demanding the “restoration of Christian rights.”
The demonstration was staged at the same time as a cabinet session at the Grand Serail in downtown Beirut and the protesters had scuffled with the soldiers protecting the building as they attempted to approach it.
On Thursday, Defense Minister Samir Moqbel extended the the terms of the army commander, chief of staff and the head of the Higher Defense Council despite months of objections by the FPM, which rejects the extension of the tenures of high-ranking military and security officials.
Wednesday's demonstrations are expected to be held in the afternoon with motorized protests reportedly kicking off at the Mirna Chalouhi Center on the Sin el-Fil-Jdeideh boulevard, the public garden in Jbeil, La Cite in Jounieh, the FPM offices in Baabda, Sassine Square in Ashrafieh, Batrouniyat restaurant in Batroun and the North Metn bureau of the FPM in Nahr al-Mot.
M.T.
G.K.
12 August 2015, 15:02
11
how many m14 supporters were there in martyr's square when saadoun announced his "day of rage"? 100? 200? lol
12 August 2015, 16:36
10
That my friend Mowaten seems to be a day that is still hurting, you mocked us then, then when you got that hard slap on your face and that harder kick in the butt you only got more sore. recount your numbers and stop saying so much rubbish, even one hurts you, let alone more.
12 August 2015, 10:14
48
Good to see that there are still free Lebanese who refuse the actions of the corrupt mafia that has ruled Lebanon for 25 years. Good speed orange people. Tell them no to their criminal activities aimed at sidelining anyone they can't buy.
12 August 2015, 16:40
11
Rami, are you talking of your old man criminal Aoun? You talk as if he didn't steal or didn't kill. Aoun stole and killed and what is even worse, is that he keeps pretending that he never did, it does take a sheep, an orange sheep to be precise to talk the way people like you do. The others are thieves and killers too, but they don't go around saying the opposite like Aoun does. Why do you think Aoun is so desperate to have Roukoz to replace Qhawaji, it takes a fool not to see Aoun Inc behind all this.
12 August 2015, 11:32
74
I'm all for defending the constitution. But I think that should include denouncing any militia's intervention in Syria.
I wonder why Aoun is so up in arms about Kahwaji's extension, while he backs Hizbullah's action in Syria.
I guess it's only unconstitutional when it's not in his favor.
12 August 2015, 11:48
74
"Any democratic action is acceptable as long as it remains peaceful " ,,,Understand that Aoun and his sheep and listen to it carefully while you wave your orange flags , don't try anything stupid as you always do
13 August 2015, 01:02
00
to all of you gemayelians, geageagians, haririans, saudians and to all of the M14 comedians, you better start puckering up, for it won't be long that those lips of yours will be put to use...
