Mashnouq: Security Forces Will Withdraw If the Army Leadership Did Not Respond
Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq said that he will give orders to the security forces tasked to protect Saturday's civil society demos, to withdraw if the army did not meet his request to join the efforts in maintaining order and security.
“I will give orders to all the security forces who are tasked to maintain order during the civil society demos to withdraw if the army did not meet a request to maintain order,” said Mashnouq in an interview to An Nahar.
Masnhouq said that his stance stemmed from a negative response he received from the army leadership after he requested them to assist the security forces in maintaining order.
A Central Security Council meeting was held later during the day at the interior ministry in the presence of all the security leaders.
Following the meeting they said that they requested the municipalities to take the necessary measures to protect the protesters and the public and private properties.
A joint chamber of operations between the army and the ISF will be established to coordinate means to preserve the security of the demonstration, they added.
Mashnouq had disclosed on Friday that he is "worried" about a mass protest against Lebanon's government planned for this weekend but said he will strive to guarantee the safety of demonstrators.
The "You Stink" garbage campaign has called for a massive demo in central Beirut on Saturday to follow demonstrations last weekend that targeted not only a trash collection problem but also Lebanon's stagnant political scene.
The protest is to start at 5:00 pm with a march from the interior ministry towards Martyrs Square in downtown Beirut.
Source: Naharnet, Agence France Presse
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