Free Patriotic Movement protesters have withdrawn from the scene of demonstration near the Grand Serail after having staged several rallies.
The protesters took to the streets Thursday to protest before the country's Grand Serail following the heated dispute that erupted between Prime Minister Tammam Salam and Foreign Affairs Minister Gebran Bassil on the onset of today’s
cabinet session.
During the sit-in, Education Minister Elias Bou Saab said today’s dispute was over means to implement the constitution, adding “the premier’s powers are well reserved but we have to preserve the powers of the president.”
The minister told LBCI that PM Salam pledged to discuss the FPM's demands after two weeks, noting that “the confrontation is not with the Lebanese army.”
“Lebanese Armed Forces officers informed me that no soldiers were wounded [in today’s rallies],” Bou Saab added.
In turn, Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil noted that “the battle has begun and will not end,” saying “today we got what we wanted.”
The Lebanese army blocked Thursday all roads leading to the Grand Serail amid tight security measures, while scuffles erupted between FPM supporters and security forces.
Prior to the session, FPM supporters had gathered outside the Secretary General headquarters of the party in Sin el-Fil in anticipation of further directives.
The head of FPM youth department Antoine Souaid said that the protesters “will not block roads,” adding that the protests will remain civilized.
Yesterday, Free Patriotic Movement supporters lead convoys through the streets of several Lebanese areas including Nahr el-Mot, Jbeil, Zahle and Jezzine.
The party's leader MP Michel Aoun has urged his supporters to organize rallies to reclaim the “rights of Christians.”
He is awaiting the results of today’s cabinet session to give the green light for further street movements.
His supporters started organizing anti-government rallies after the cabinet failed to discuss the appointment of top security and military officials.