Opposition to turn up heat with protests – security source
The opposition is planning to escalate its protest actions starting from January 24 when an opposition-inspired public transport strike aims to block roads to major cities in the country to force the population to stay in their homes, a security source said. The Lebanese Army said it would not permit attacks on public property or the blocking of roads.
“Contacts are ongoing between security forces and the opposition to prevent this dangerous plan from being implemented,” a security source told The Daily Star, adding that the opposition is planning to park vehicles in main access roads, take out the keys and leave.
The opposition has warned it will take to the streets if an Arab foreign ministers” meeting on January 27 fails to resolve the Lebanese political logjam.
Monday night, in what was seen as a prelude to wider escalation by the opposition, demonstrators burned tires and set dumpsters ablaze, blocking roads in Ouzai, Zoqaq al-Blat and Mosseitbeh for 20 minutes, protesting against heavy power rationing in their areas. Army units dispersed protesters and reopened roads.
In a statement Tuesday, Electricite du Liban (EDL) said the power cut was due to a malfunction at its Basta substation. EDL teams worked all night to repair the substation and electricity was restored to the area at 2 a.m. on Tuesday.
On Monday night, three separate groups of about 50 people each blocked traffic in three separate areas of Beirut for about 20 minutes, according to media reports. One group of protestors blocked access to a tunnel leading to Salim Salaam street with burning tires. The road links central Beirut with Rafik Hariri International Airport and other neighborhoods. Another road was also blocked briefly in Ouzai.
Lebanese Army units arrested 11 of those involved in the riots at the scene. On Tuesday, the suspects were referred to the Military Tribunal. The source said that all 11 suspects are members of either Hizbullah or the Amal Movement.
The security source said that all army units and security forces north of the Litani river have been placed at the highest alert level and will intensify security measures, especially in the capital. “From noon on Wednesday strict security measures are being taken within the capital and around US and European diplomatic missions and commercial interests.”
Responding to media reports that the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) was planning to take to the streets in the northern Batroun region, FPM official Issam Abu Jamra said his party has no “street action plans,” according to a report on Naharnet. Media reports has said the FPM was preparing its supporters to deploy and carry out “maneuvers” in Batroun on Tuesday.