March 14 Calls for a Demilitarized Beirut

March 14 Calls for a Demilitarized Beirut

March 14 forces strongly called Wednesday for a "definitive" decision for the demilitarization of the capital, following Sunday”s armed clashes that left one woman bystander dead.

Following its weekly meeting, the alliance”s general secretariat expressed "serious concern" over the violence in Aisha Bakkar warning that the "grave situation could not be remedied by tranquilizers and temporary arrangements."

The statement called on "military, security and judicial officials to root out sedition by taking a definitive decision to turn Beirut into a safe and demilitarized zone."

On another note, March 14 said the designation of Saad Hariri for the premiership was "a natural and democratic" reflection of the elections outcome and parliamentary consultations. The ruling alliance also cautioned against a government shape-up "riddled with hindrances."

The statement also condemned as "intellectual terrorism a media campaign that had targeted French-Moroccan stand up comedian Gad al-Maleh."

Maleh cancelled three Beiteddine Festival shows after local media reported he had served in the Israeli army. Both the Festival”s organizing committee and Maleh”s agent denied the reports.