Mawlawi Bans Two Pro-Bahraini Opposition Rallies at Lebanese Hotel

Interior Minister Bassam al-Mawlawi on Thursday announced that he has banned two pro-Bahraini opposition rallies that had been scheduled to be held at a Lebanese hotel.

In a statement, Mawlawi said the two events had been scheduled to be held on February 11 and 14 at the al-Saha Hotel near Beirut airport.

He added that the two rallies would have “addressed insults to the official Bahraini authorities and the Arab Gulf states” and “therefore would have obstructed the official efforts that are being exerted by the Lebanese state to strengthen ties with the Arab Gulf countries,” especially in light of the latest “Kuwaiti initiative.”

The Lebanese state “has committed itself to conducting all measures that prevent verbal or physical harm against the brotherly Arab state,” Mawlawi went on to say, noting that his decision was taken following consultations with Prime Minister Najib Miqati.

He added that he has “addressed two memos to the Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces and the Directorate General of General Security, asking them to immediately inform the hotel’s administration not to host the events for their failing to obtain legal permissions.”

Mawlawi also asked the security agencies to carry out investigations to gather information about “the organizers, the inviters and the invitees.”