Riots erupt in Lebanon after designation of Hezbollah’s Mikati as PM
January 26th, 2011 - 12:14 am ICT by BNO NewsBEIRUT, LEBANON (BNO NEWS) — Riots and protests on Tuesday erupted after Lebanon’s President Michel Suleiman designated Najib Mikati as Prime Minsiter designate, the state-run National News Agency reported.
Many demonstrators have been injured in Tripoli, Qebba, Zahle and Wata Al-Mousaytbeh regions. Lebanese Army has been deployed to the areas to disperse protesters.
In the Bar-Elias region in Zahle, protesters set barricades on fire by using tires. The protest erupted into gunfire causing the injury of one person who was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital.
The main road that connects Tripoli with Menieh-Akkar was blocked by Sunnites protesters who burned tires and blocked the access. Another protester was hurt due to gun shots.
Anjar inhabitants blocked the Sham road next to Akramiyeh entrance. The crossroad towards Kaskas and Tayyounehw as also blocked with burning tires by demonstrators as well as the road in Baqqar, Qebba.
Two demonstrators were also injured during protests in Wata Al-Mousaytbeh region. Lebanese soldiers contained the rioters and disperse them. Massive security operations have been deployed to the areas where protests are underway.
On Monday, President Suleiman designated Makiti as PM designate. Makiti is backed by the Hezbollah Shia Islamist group. The protests were staged against Hezbollah’s growing political power.
At about 2:00 p.m. local time, Mikati arrived to the Baabda presidential palace for a tripartite meeting with President Suleiman and Speaker Nabih Berri. After the meeting Mikati said that parliamentary consultations are scheduled to begin on Thursday to constitute a new cabinet.
Former Prime Saad Hariri called for calm due to the ongoing riots and demonstrations and assured that Lebanon can only be ruled by consensus. A rally in support for Hariri began as crowds gathered at Souq Khan Triangle in Arqoub.
“You have the right to express your opinion regarding the current crisis, but within the limits of mutual respect. We are all citizens of this country, and we all want to coexist together and respect each other’s viewpoints, without ceding our principles and constants,” said Hariri.
- UN calls on new Lebanese government to cooperate with Special Tribunal over former PM murder - Jan 29, 2011
- Lebanon's election is crucial: Clinton - Apr 26, 2009
- Hezbollah says ready for another war with Israel - Nov 12, 2010
- Ahmadinejad's visit to disputed island irks Lebanon - Apr 15, 2012
- Hezbollah congratulates Egyptian people - Feb 12, 2011
- Lebanese opposition shies from renaming Hariri as premier - Sep 15, 2009
- Lebanon's president names Hariri as premier - Jun 27, 2009
- Hariri accepts re-nomination for Lebanese premiership - Sep 16, 2009
- Lebanese Shias mourning death of leader Fadlallah (Lead) - Jul 04, 2010
- Israel builds wall on Lebanese border - Apr 30, 2012
- Four killed as Israel, Lebanon exchange fire (Second lead) - Aug 04, 2010
- Under Secretary Bill Burns to travel to Lebanon, Syria, Turkey and Azerbaijan - Feb 13, 2010
- Award-winning US reporter dies - Feb 18, 2012
- Al Qaeda militants among fugitives who fled Egypt prisons - Feb 10, 2011
- U.S. Department of State updates Lebanon travel warning - Mar 30, 2010
Tags: akkar, bar elias, barricades, beirut lebanon, bno, burning tires, demonstrators, gun shots, hezbollah, kaskas, lebanese army, lebanese soldiers, nabih berri, national news agency, nearby hospital, new cabinet, rioters, security operations, wata, zahle