A video circulating on social media showing an armed parade in the streets of Beirut during Ashura commemorations has sparked widespread outrage among political circles and the public.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam strongly condemned the scenes, calling them “unacceptable under any pretext.” He stated that he contacted the Ministers of Interior and Justice, requesting them to “strictly enforce the law, identify those responsible, and bring them to justice.”
According to Al Jadeed television station, Interior Minister Ahmed Hajjar has asked the Internal Security Forces and General Security to identify the people who appeared in the armed video in Beirut and to take the necessary measures.
Several political figures reacted, denouncing what they see as a serious threat to state authority.
MP Ghassan Hasbani urged the government to “take a clear stance on the presence of weapons in the capital” and called on security forces to “confiscate these weapons and arrest their carriers.”
MP Fouad Makhzoumi labeled the incident a “completely unacceptable provocation,” declaring: “Those who believe they can desecrate the streets of Beirut must understand that the era of armed supremacy is over. The safety and dignity of Beirut’s residents are a red line.”
For his part, MP Ashraf Rifi demanded immediate action: “Armed individuals must be arrested, and all weapons in Beirut and across Lebanon must be seized. The authority of the state is at stake.”
Lastly, MP Sami Gemayel emphasized that “whether light or heavy, all weapons are a threat to state-building. Only the army and legitimate security forces should bear arms.”
Army forces carried out large-scale raids in Beirut's Zoukak el-Blat neighborhood in response to the armed appearance video and arrested a number of young men.
Comments