Salam: Stability and Security a Red Line

Prime Minister Tammam Salam said on Friday that there are some parties trying to exploit the civil society protests for interests that do not serve the Lebanese, stressing that the stability and security of the country are a "red line."

“It is clear that there are some parties trying to deviate the civil society from their goals, and are trying to take advantage of their moves for interests that do not serve the Lebanese nor the goals that triggered the civil mobilizations,” media reports quoted Salam.

He was referring to Thursday's demonstrations in downtown Beirut where clashes turned into a chaotic scene during confrontations between the civil society activists and the security forces causing heavy damages to private and public properties.

Salam's comments came after a meeting he held with Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq and judge Samir Hammmoud on Friday.

Nevertheless, Salam gave instructions to the security forces to "commit to wisdom when dealing with the demonstrators and to preserve their right to express their points of views peacefully."

However he added that respecting the law is a must and that anyone found to be involved in assaulting the security forces or acts of sabotage will be punished.

The Premier however denounced the state of chaos that spiraled during Thursday's protest, he said: "from the beginning we said that these demonstrations are righteous and reflect the pain of the Lebanese. But what we have seen of the insane acts of sabotage in the last demonstration, went out of the framework of peaceful expression and turned to riots which raises many questions about their purpose."

He concluded: "Security and stability in the country are a red line, violating the law, assaulting the security forces and public and private properties will be punished based on what the law stipulates."