Hariri: Street Action Not Conducted by Undisciplined Forces, but Sides Seeking to Undermine the State
Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri slammed on Thursday the latest security instability in Lebanon, most notably the unrest in Beirut, saying that any action on the ground is aimed at “undermining the authority of the state.”
He said in a statement: “The street action was not conducted by undisciplined forces as some sides would lead the people to believe, but some powers are orchestrating the developments in order to create chaos, terrorize the people, and undermine the state’s authority.”
“The state must assume its duties and control the security of the whole of Lebanon and the country’s various vital facilities,” he continued.
“We reject any street action, regardless of its sectarian or political affiliations,” he added.
“Any action must take place within the authority of the law and within the Lebanese people’s rights to express themselves through legitimate democratic action,” explained Hariri.
The state took a step in the right direction by ordering that political cover be lifted off the sides creating the unrest, stressing that “lifting security cover and armed protection of the sides blocking the roads is the real request,” continued the former prime minister.
He slammed the sides “creating chaos and organizing sit-ins in Beirut, Tripoli, Sidon and other regions.”
“Some sides are providing the security and logistic support for the powers that are creating chaos. These forces are known to all and this situation must stop,” he stressed.
“The recent developments in Beirut jeopardize peace and national stability,” he noted.
Interior Minister Marwan Charbel on Wednesday launched a one-month security plan aimed at restoring stability in Lebanon.
“We hope that the one-month security plan will be implemented throughout the year,” he added.
The the first day of the plan however was marred by the blocking of the airport highway and attempts to cut other roads in the capital in protest at the arrest of Wissam Alaeddine, a member of the group that attacked al-Jadeed television’s building on Monday.
The day also witnessed rioting inside a Justice Palace courtroom in Baabda during the trials of 14 suspects transferred from the Roumieh prison.
Meanwhile, a personal dispute between members of the families of Jaafar and Dirani and Palestinian elements erupted into gunfire on Wednesday in the Beirut southern suburb of Bourj al-Barajneh.
The incident did not cause any casualties, the agency added.
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