Report: FPM Wants to Embarrass LF into Street Rally Participation
The Free Patriotic Movement chose to brand its planned street movements under the title of commitment to the National Pact in order to embarrass its allies into participation in the rally it called for on September 28 and October 7, media reports said on Thursday.
Change and Reform ministerial sources said that the FPM decided to raise the slogan of the “National Pact” in its demonstration in an attempt to embarrass its allies mainly the Lebanese Forces to push them towards participation.
The sources added that it has become clear for the FPM that the Lebanese Forces will not take part in street rallies in protest to a suggestion to extend the term of Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji and has therefore chose another title for its moves.
The Lebanese Forces would be embarrassed if they chose to stay outside the circle of participation since commitment to the “National Pact” is a sensitive issue among the Christian community, analyzed the sources.
“Taking to the streets is something agreed upon with the Lebanese Forces,” they stated “it is normal for the LF to involve in the popular movement even though the details of participation with regard to the areas and numbers have not been yet resolved.”
On Wednesday, the Change and Reform announced that it has started mobilizing for street protests on September 28 and October 13 as part of its escalatory steps that are aimed at pressing the other parties in the country to “abide by the National Pact.”
FPM chief Jebran Bassil has threatened that the FPM would “topple the government” through street protests if the other parties do not heed the movement's demand regarding “partnership” and the National Pact.
The 1943 National Pact is an unwritten agreement that set the foundations of modern Lebanon as a multi-confessional state based on Christian-Muslim partnership.
On the other hand, senior March 8 sources pointed out: “Hizbullah has no relation with the street movements of the FPM. The party has not yet decided if it will take part in future cabinet meetings or not.”
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