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Bassil joins pro-Aoun protest supporting ‘reform plan’
[ENGLISH.ALARABIYA.NET] Leb’s Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil on Sunday joined thousands of people taking part in a rally in support of President Michel Aoun ...president of Leb, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hizbullah..., and called on demonstrators to refrain from accusing everyone of corruption, Lebanese news outlets reported. Some of the protesters demands are "destructive to the economy" and "uncompromising," Bassil said, adding that the slogan "everyone means everyone" should be used to hold officials accountable and not for injustice. A huge convoy of cars, some waving Aoun’s orange Free Patriotic Movement Despite its name a Christian party allied with Hizbullah, neither free nor particularly patriotic... party flags and his portrait snaked across a main highway on Sunday while a sea of protesters marched to Baabda palace. It was the biggest counter protest to the massive wave of demonstrations that have gripped Leb since Oct. 17 and which have included Aoun’s removal among its demands. "We’re here to say to Aoun that we love you and renew our trust in you," said Hiyam Khair. Wearing a shirt with Aoun’s face, George Barbar said he had driven from northern Leb to show his support: "If people don’t join hands with the president, there will be no Leb," said Barbar. A semblance of normality returned to Leb this week, with roads re-opening and banks opening to customers on Friday after being shut for two weeks, though restrictions were reported on foreign currency withdrawals and transfers abroad. Related: Gebran Bassil: 2019-10-31 Hariri said willing to return as Lebanon PM, if given power to implement reforms Gebran Bassil: 2019-09-09 Pompeo said to warn Lebanon that Israel could strike Hezbollah missile factory Gebran Bassil: 2019-08-08 US, UK warn against escalating sectarianism in Lebanon Related: Michel Aoun: 2019-10-31 Hariri said willing to return as Lebanon PM, if given power to implement reforms Michel Aoun: 2019-10-30 Aoun will not request caretaker cabinet after Leb PM Hariri resigns Michel Aoun: 2019-10-25 Lebanon’s President Aoun refuses to step down, blames corruption for crisis Related: Free Patriotic Movement: 2019-10-31 Hariri said willing to return as Lebanon PM, if given power to implement reforms Free Patriotic Movement: 2019-09-24 Future US sanctions will hit Hezbollah benefactors, US said to warn Lebanon Free Patriotic Movement: 2019-08-22 Aoun Remarks on Change of Defense Strategy Standards Spark Debate Posted by: Fred 2019-11-04 |
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