Road Blocked outside French Embassy as Miqati Calls Paoli, Slams Delay in Freeing Abdallah
Demonstrators blocked the road outside the French embassy in Beirut on Monday after a French court postponed the release of Lebanese leftist militant George Abdallah, who has spent 28 years in jail, as Prime Minister Najib Miqati condemned the “unjustified” delay.
Dozens of leftist protesters and supporters of Abdallah rallied in front of Paris' embassy in the Mathaf area, condemning the policies of France and accusing it of being a proxy for the United States, which has openly rejected the release of the Lebanese activist.
"France is an American whore," protesters sprayed on the mission's walls in French and in Arabic.
A number of young demonstrators tried to storm the embassy but were repelled by security forces who reinforced their presence in the vicinity of the French diplomatic building. Both the organizers of the protest and the family condemned any attempt to attack the embassy or security forces protecting its premises.
“We reject to be turned by some enthusiastic youths into guards for the embassy. We urge everyone to abide by democratic means and refrain from hurling any objects at the embassy's building,” Joseph Abdallah, George's brother, told reporters.
Protesters heeded the call and moved away from the embassy's gates as MTV said a demonstrator was injured in a scuffle with security forces.
Meanwhile, PM Miqati telephoned French Ambassador to Lebanon Patrice Paoli, inquiring about the reasons behind delaying Abdallah's release.
“The delay in freeing Abdallah is an unjustified step that violates his civil rights,” Miqati told Paoli during the phone call, according to a statement released by the premier's office.
“The relevant French authorities must speed up his release so that he returns to his homeland and family,” Miqati added, stressing that “the Lebanese government has been following this case ever since it assumed its responsibilities and was preparing to welcome Abdallah upon his arrival in Lebanon.”
The prime minister also noted that "the appropriate security measures have been taken to protect the French embassy during the popular protest this afternoon.”
Earlier on Monday, Abdallah's brother, Joseph, threatened to organize protests outside the French embassy after France's interior minister failed to sign the leftist militant's expulsion order.
In remarks to LBCI, Joseph Abdallah said his family was surprised by the postponement of the decision after reports that the procedures relating to his deportation had been delayed until Jan. 28.
He warned that it would take escalatory measures if his brother was not sent back home, including protests outside the French embassy, the presidential palace in Baabda and the Grand Serail.
Security forces immediately sent patrols to the Mathaf area where the French mission is located after the family's threat, Voice of Lebanon radio (100.5) reported.
A French court ruled last week that Abdallah can be released on condition he is expelled from French territory.
The 61-year-old was granted parole in November on condition of his expulsion but was not released pending a decision on an appeal by prosecutors.
The court in Paris confirmed the parole decision and said the interior ministry had until January 14 to issue the expulsion order.
Abdallah was arrested in 1984 and sentenced to life in prison three years later for his alleged involvement in the 1982 murders of U.S. military attache Charles Robert Ray and Israeli diplomat Yacov Barsimantov.
Abdallah had been eligible for parole from 1999 onwards but failed in seven previous bids to be released.
U.S. Ambassador to France Charles Rivkin had criticized the decision to grant him parole, arguing that Abdallah had never expressed remorse and could yet be a threat if released.
His family was on Monday gearing up for large celebrations at the airport and his hometown of Qobayyet when it heard of the deportation’s postponement.
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