Mikati holds those inciting speeches responsible for today's clashes

The media office of Prime Minister Najib Mikati issued a statement holding those who instigated the protesters through their slogans and stances responsible for the attack against the Grand Serail and the repercussions resulting from the incident. The statement considered that this attack targeted the Prime Ministry's position and what it symbolizes: nationally, politically and popularly, noting that the protesters' attack against the security forces injured 15 members.                

Mikati's office said, "the lack of awareness regarding what the Serail symbolizes urges the Prime Minister to deploy stronger efforts and sacrifices to save Lebanon from this difficult situation and to find ways to restore unity among the Lebanese people."                 

On the other hand, Mikati received a series of phone calls from US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton and French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius.                

For his part, Mikati called the ISF Chief Ashraf Rifi and reassured him on the health of the security forces who were injured during the clashes near the Grand Serail.