Aoun Says Road Blockades are Acts of ‘Sabotage’
President Michel Aoun commented on dayslong protests against the dire living conditions in Lebanon, saying that road blockades are acts of “sabotage.”
During the economic and financial security meeting in Baabda, chaired by Aoun, he said: “Roads blocking goes beyond mere expression of opinion and aims for an organized act of sabotage to tamper with stability.”
The President urged military and security intervention, he stated: “Even if citizens have the right to express their opinion by demonstrating, blocking the roads is considered an assault on the citizens' right for mobility especially after weeks of total lockdown.
He urged the "security and military services to fully carry out their duties and implement the law without hesitation.”
On the dire economic crisis, and rise of dollar exchange rate he said: “What is happening has dangerous repercussions on social and national security, and it requires swift and decisive financial, judicial and security measures to prosecute those manipulating the livelihood of the Lebanese."
He asked the state administrations and related authorities to suppress violations especially manipulation and monopolization of food prices.
Aoun said he assumed his position “to make a change largely hoped by Lebanese, and I will not backtrack, I will carry on with my reform program regardless of pressures.”
Source: Naharnet
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/280003 |