Mashnouq: Future Attempt to Assault State Institutions Will be Dealt with by Force
Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq emphasized on Wednesday that future attempts by protesters to occupy and rally at state institutions will be “dealt with immediately.”
He announced in a press conference to address the recent civil society protests: “Future attempts will be dealt with by force.”
He stressed however that the security forces “have preserved and will continue to preserve the people's right to hold peaceful demonstrations.”
“The security forces are bound by their duty to protect the state and public property,” he added.
“We will exercise all efforts to peacefully prevent rallies at state institutions,” continued Mashnouq.
Furthermore, he condemned the insults made by protesters against the security forces, especially those who accused them of “lacking dignity”.
“We say that such remarks are an assault against them,” he declared.
“I salute the protesters who formed a human chain to act as a barrier against those attacking the security forces,” Mashnouq added.
“The security forces are the same as the poorest of citizens in their need for electricity, water, and the resolution of the waste management crisis,” he remarked.
“The security forces are of the people and those who see otherwise are blind to national causes,” he noted.
“Are the protesters the only people with problems? The security forces have families and needs as well,” he said before reporters.
“There are more wounded among them than the protesters and we have not heard a word of sympathy towards them,” he said in reference to accusations that the demonstrators were assaulted.
He reiterated his acknowledgment that security forces used “excessive force” during an August 22 rally, saying that a number of them have been disciplined for their shortcomings.
Mashnouq concluded by stressing that the election of a new president and approval of a new parliamentary electoral law will serve as the beginning of resolving Lebanon's pending problems.
Earlier, the minister acknowledged that some security members on Wednesday made “limited mistakes” while they were forcing protesters out of the Environment Ministry the day before, As Safir newspaper reported.
“The protesters were given more than one chance to evacuate the government building,” he said.
“Some security members made limited mistakes when they were forcing the protesters to willingly evacuate the building, where a stampede took place” he added while asserting that no serious injurers were reported which can be proven through the Red Cross reports.
On Tuesday, protesters from the “You Stink” movement occupied the eighth floor of the Environment Ministry to demand the resignation of Minister Mohammed al-Mashnouq.
The activists said police had beaten some of them and the Red Cross said medics treated several for wounds sustained in scuffles with security forces.
Imad Bazzi, one of the organizers of the "You Stink" campaign, said police had shoved a dozen activists from the building shortly after the rest had been driven out.
The same movement had led in recent weeks rallies in protest against the ongoing waste management crisis that started with the closure of the Naameh landfill in July.
Politicians have so far failed to find an alternative for it.
The civil society campaign has gained thousands of followers, evolving into a movement protesting against the corrupt political class.
M.T./D.A.
Y.R.
Source: Naharnet, Agence France Presse
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