Two ceremonies were held Friday to mark the third anniversary of ISF Intelligence Bureau Chief Brig. Gen. Wissam al-Hassan’s assassination, one at the headquarters of the Internal Security Forces and another at the UNESCO Palace.
From UNESCO, the General Director of the Internal Security Forces Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Basbous stressed that the freedom of demonstration and the freedom of speech are sacred, reiterating the ISF’s commitment to the protection of the protesters and the public properties.
For his part, Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq said that he is committed to protecting the freedom of peaceful protest, noting however that he will put an end to any form of chaos through every legitimate means possible.
He added that the slogans of the civil society represent the demands of all the Lebanese people, pointing out that there is a party hindering the implementation of the waste management plan.
On another note, al-Mashnouq revealed that the security plan set up for the Bekaa region remains ink on paper, stressing that security chaos has been widely exposed while the residents of Baalbek are complaining about the situation.
Commenting on the presidential issue, the minister called for electing a new president who will restore legitimacy and regularity within the public institutions.
“Lebanon is in danger and our people are asking us to show humility and to put an end to all the illusions concerning the fact that Lebanon is the center of international conflicts or that we are capable of deciding the fate of the region,” he stated.
Addressing the head of Change and Reform bloc, MP Michel Aoun, al-Mashnouq said that “no one can access the doors of the Lebanese system through a break-in,” reiterating his confidence in the honorable performance of Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Jean Qahwaji and ISF chief Maj. Gen. Basbous.
For his part, MP Marwan Hamadeh called on former Prime Minister Saad Hariri to return to Lebanon.