The leadership clarified in a statement that calls have spread through social media urging action, accompanied by the dissemination of old and fabricated videos aimed at stirring tension among citizens. The army confirmed that it respects the right to peaceful expression of opinion but will not allow any breach of security or disturbance to civil peace, including roadblocks or trespassing on public and private properties. The leadership urged citizens and all parties to act responsibly and maintain unity and solidarity, considering them as the means to overcome the threats facing Lebanon in this exceptional phase.
Earlier, the capital Beirut and its southern suburb witnessed night marches of cars and motorcycles on Friday-Saturday, involving hundreds of supporters of the Amal Movement. They raised their party flags and slogans supporting Hezbollah’s armament, in protest of the cabinet’s decision to restrict arms to state institutions and withdraw them from all non-official military parties, including the party.
The convoys started from several streets in the southern suburb before roaming major roads in the capital, notably leading to Beirut International Airport, reaching the city center where cafes, restaurants, and official headquarters, including the parliament and government palace, as well as several ministries, are located. Participants confirmed the continuation of these movements in an unorganized partisan manner until the government retracts its decision, emphasizing the demand for international pressure to stop fire and Israeli assassination operations, and for Israel to withdraw from all occupied Lebanese territories.
Party leaders explained that the marches were not based on official calls from any party. This escalation comes after two cabinet sessions this week at the Baabda Presidential Palace, chaired by the President of the Republic, and attended by 23 ministers out of 24, with the absence of Finance Minister Yassine Jaber (from the Amal Movement) due to his travel abroad.
