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Jumblat: Transformation of Some Beirut Districts into Security Zones Doesn’t Help Anyone

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat stressed on Wednesday the need for peaceful demonstrations to take place within legal norms in order to maintain freedom of expression that preserves Lebanon’s diversity.

He said in a statement: “The transformation of some of Beirut’s neighborhoods into closed security zones does not benefit any side as the capital belongs to all Lebanese and it harbors all political views.”

“In addition, respecting media outlets in their coverage of political events should be upheld,” he stated.

“It would be helpful for some ministerial figures to remember this principle,” the MP remarked.

“Media freedom is just as important of political and personal freedom and all political powers are responsible for maintaining it,” Jumblat concluded.

On Tuesday, dozens of supporters of Syrian President Bashar Assad attacked a small rally against him and his regime in Beirut, landing at least one protester in hospital, activists told Agence France Presse.

A security official told AFP there had been a clash outside the Syrian embassy in Beirut’s Hamra neighborhood between pro- and anti-Assad demonstrators on Tuesday evening but could not give further details.

Source: Agence France Presse


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