Parliament Vicinity, a Military Zone

The Security Forces decided to impose a military zone in the vicinity of the parliament in light of the demonstrations called for by the civil society and the Syndicate Coordination Committee that coincide with the dialogue session called for by Speaker Nabih Berri, An Nahar daily reported.

The decision, over fear of clashes between the demonstrations and interlocutors, was taken as the country witnesses a wide range of protests raging over the government and parliament paralysis, the daily added.

Berri has called for a dialogue of political leaders on Wednesday September 9 to revive the all-party talks that he had launched in 2006.

Samir Geagea, leader of the Christian Lebanese Forces party, has said he will not participate.

The "You Stink" has called for another massive demonstration the same day.

Demonstrations organized by "You Stink" have escalated over the past two weeks, peaking last Saturday when tens of thousands flooded Martyrs Square in a rare display of non-partisan mobilization.

The dialogue aims at discussing ways to end the almost two-year presidential vacuum, resume the Parliament and Cabinet's work, agree on a new election law, a law allowing foreigners of Lebanese origin to obtain Lebanese nationality, administrative decentralization and means to support the Army and the Internal Security Forces.