AI
Thursday, November 18, 2004 6:37:23 PM
Opposition Protest in Lebanon May Lead to Clashes
The Lebanese opposition movement, FPM, looks to be backed by France and most probably the United States.
The FPM is a Lebanese opposition movement, which has been vigorously calling for Lebanese independence from Syrian tutelage, and is headed by former army commander General Michel Aoun, who is currently in exile in France.
Rice had been "very involved" in U.S. policy toward Lebanon and had played a
role in drafting the U.S.- and French-sponsored UN resolution 1559, which calls for the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon, for the disarmament of armed groups and for the respect of the Lebanese Constitution with regard to the presidential elections in May 2005.
#msg-4599326
It is interesting that the sub intruder in Israeli waters is thought to be American or French.
#msg-4592216
-Am
Opposition Protest in Lebanon May Lead to Clashes
Posted 11-18-2004 10:41:14 (GMT 11-18-2004 16:41:14)
BEIRUT -- Lebanon might witness a clash between Internal Security Forces (ISF) and opposition members tomorrow, if the opposition holds a demonstration in Beirut's central district despite an official decision by the Interior Ministry banning public gatherings.
"We will go on with the demonstration, and we do not care about the ban, it is our constitutional right," said Antoine Nasrallah, senior official at the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), which is organising the demonstration to commemorate Lebanese Independence Day.
The FPM is a Lebanese opposition movement, which has been vigorously calling for Lebanese independence from Syrian tutelage, and is headed by former army commander General Michel Aoun, who is currently in exile in France.
"We just cannot understand how celebrating the Lebanese Independence Day might be a threat to internal security," said Nasrallah.
"It just goes to prove that the current Lebanese authorities are going on with their suppressive methods, despite winds of change brought by the international community," he added, referring to UN Security Council resolution 1559 and the recent international pressure on both Beirut and Damascus to end the Syrian hegemony over Lebanon.
From his French exile, General Aoun also asserted on Tuesday the movement's intension to stage the peaceful demonstration, urging people to participate in the protest he labeled as "defying Syrian occupation". "This is not only celebrating Lebanese independence which took place 61 years ago, we are also remembering that this independence is still incomplete, as Lebanon is still suffering from Syrian occupation." Aoun said that the demonstration will take place under international focus, as "all eyes were open and watching events in Lebanon" in the wake of UN resolution 1559.
"Should the regime of agents and traitors now in power seek to confront the demonstrators, so be it. We will add their move to their bulged file when we bring them to justice after Lebanon's forthcoming liberation," Aoun said.
However, the government apparently intends to suppress the planned demonstration, with newly elected Interior Minister Suleiman Franjieh recently saying that he would not approve the demonstration. "I will not allow them to demonstrate even if they ask for a permit, because a ministerial decision bans demonstrations," Franjieh said, adding that as former Interior Minister Elias Murr had used water to disperse demonstrators, he would also use all methods at his disposal "to oppress them."
In October 2002, Murr issued a decision to ban demonstrations. This decision had, in the past few years, triggered legal dispute between the opposition and the government over the legality of the ban, with legal experts saying it was unconstitutional. "The Lebanese constitution approves organizing demonstrations as a means of expression, and protects this right," said Lebanese legal expert Edmond Naim.
In fact, article 13 of the Lebanese constitution stipulates on the freedom to "express one's opinion orally or in writing, the freedom of the press, the freedom of assembly, and the freedom of association are guaranteed within the limits established by law." "The freedom of assembly means that people have the right to demonstrate and express their opinion," said Naim. "Such a constitutional right can not be apprehended by a Cabinet's decision."
www.keralanext.com
© 2004, Assyrian International News Agency. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use.
http://www.aina.org/news/20041118104114.htm
The Lebanese opposition movement, FPM, looks to be backed by France and most probably the United States.
The FPM is a Lebanese opposition movement, which has been vigorously calling for Lebanese independence from Syrian tutelage, and is headed by former army commander General Michel Aoun, who is currently in exile in France.
Rice had been "very involved" in U.S. policy toward Lebanon and had played a
role in drafting the U.S.- and French-sponsored UN resolution 1559, which calls for the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon, for the disarmament of armed groups and for the respect of the Lebanese Constitution with regard to the presidential elections in May 2005.
#msg-4599326
It is interesting that the sub intruder in Israeli waters is thought to be American or French.
#msg-4592216
-Am
Opposition Protest in Lebanon May Lead to Clashes
Posted 11-18-2004 10:41:14 (GMT 11-18-2004 16:41:14)
BEIRUT -- Lebanon might witness a clash between Internal Security Forces (ISF) and opposition members tomorrow, if the opposition holds a demonstration in Beirut's central district despite an official decision by the Interior Ministry banning public gatherings.
"We will go on with the demonstration, and we do not care about the ban, it is our constitutional right," said Antoine Nasrallah, senior official at the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), which is organising the demonstration to commemorate Lebanese Independence Day.
The FPM is a Lebanese opposition movement, which has been vigorously calling for Lebanese independence from Syrian tutelage, and is headed by former army commander General Michel Aoun, who is currently in exile in France.
"We just cannot understand how celebrating the Lebanese Independence Day might be a threat to internal security," said Nasrallah.
"It just goes to prove that the current Lebanese authorities are going on with their suppressive methods, despite winds of change brought by the international community," he added, referring to UN Security Council resolution 1559 and the recent international pressure on both Beirut and Damascus to end the Syrian hegemony over Lebanon.
From his French exile, General Aoun also asserted on Tuesday the movement's intension to stage the peaceful demonstration, urging people to participate in the protest he labeled as "defying Syrian occupation". "This is not only celebrating Lebanese independence which took place 61 years ago, we are also remembering that this independence is still incomplete, as Lebanon is still suffering from Syrian occupation." Aoun said that the demonstration will take place under international focus, as "all eyes were open and watching events in Lebanon" in the wake of UN resolution 1559.
"Should the regime of agents and traitors now in power seek to confront the demonstrators, so be it. We will add their move to their bulged file when we bring them to justice after Lebanon's forthcoming liberation," Aoun said.
However, the government apparently intends to suppress the planned demonstration, with newly elected Interior Minister Suleiman Franjieh recently saying that he would not approve the demonstration. "I will not allow them to demonstrate even if they ask for a permit, because a ministerial decision bans demonstrations," Franjieh said, adding that as former Interior Minister Elias Murr had used water to disperse demonstrators, he would also use all methods at his disposal "to oppress them."
In October 2002, Murr issued a decision to ban demonstrations. This decision had, in the past few years, triggered legal dispute between the opposition and the government over the legality of the ban, with legal experts saying it was unconstitutional. "The Lebanese constitution approves organizing demonstrations as a means of expression, and protects this right," said Lebanese legal expert Edmond Naim.
In fact, article 13 of the Lebanese constitution stipulates on the freedom to "express one's opinion orally or in writing, the freedom of the press, the freedom of assembly, and the freedom of association are guaranteed within the limits established by law." "The freedom of assembly means that people have the right to demonstrate and express their opinion," said Naim. "Such a constitutional right can not be apprehended by a Cabinet's decision."
www.keralanext.com
© 2004, Assyrian International News Agency. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use.
http://www.aina.org/news/20041118104114.htm
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