Civil society activists protest against parliament mandate extension

Civil society activists decided to go on with their movement staged in protest to the extension of the Parliament mandate, until Friday awaiting the session expected to be held by the constitutional council to finalize the issue of the appeals presented in this regards.            

The protesters set up tents in Riad al-Solh Square, while the security forces stressed that they will not allow any roads to be cut off.            

Earlier in the day, the activists had staged a demonstration at Riad al-Solh Square to protest against the extension of the Parliament mandate, amid a heavy deployment of security forces where they raised banners with slogans denouncing the MPs behavior and the extension of the council’s term. They also stressed that they represent the “silent majority of the Lebanese people.”                

In this regard, President Michel Sleiman declared via twitter that he supports the demands of the civil society activists on the condition that the movement remains peaceful and democratic, stressing that the security forces must act wisely with the protesters.

The Lebanese Constitutional Council was established in 1994 and came as a direct result of the Taif accord.                

The Council is entrusted to supervise the constitutionality of laws along with electoral appeals and the examination of conflicts arising from elections.                   

On Friday the 31st of May, 97 parliamentarians ratified a law to extend the current parliament's mandate until the 20th of November 2014.                       

The session was held amid the discontent of several civil society groups who gathered before Nejmeh Square pelting lawmakers with tomatoes in protest of the decision.                    

The Free Patriotic Movement boycotted the session, announcing that they would file an appeal to the Constitutional Council.                      

Similarly, President Michel Sleiman also vowed to fight the said law, citing its unconstitutionality as the main reason behind his move.