On day 60, thousands of protesters denounce state violence
- After a night of intensive police brutality on Saturday, protesters gathered en masse across the country's squares to decry the violence deployed by security forces, to reject Saad Hariri's potential return as prime minister, and to reaffirm that they will not accept a government made up of members from the ruling elite.
- Nejmeh Square, the main site of yesterday's violence, was jam-packed with protesters from different parts of the country. Brief tensions erupted between security forces and protesters after one of the protesters threw firecrackers in their direction. Other protesters decried this move.
- Riot police fired tear gas at protesters later in the night for the second consecutive night.
Unknown assailants attack FPM, Future Movement offices
- The offices of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) and Future Movement in Akkar were vandalized by unknown assailants overnight.
- Security forces launched an investigation into the attack, with the aim of identifying the offenders. Meanwhile, both the FPM and Future Movement released statements of strong condemnation.
Monday's parliamentary consultations confirmed amidst nationwide anticipation
- Parliamentary consultations to decide on the prime minister will take place on Monday in Baabda.
- The various blocs met over the weekend to discuss their vote, with reports indicating that Caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri and President Michel Aoun had held a "secret meeting" Saturday night.
- Hariri is expected to be named prime minister, following protesters' rejection of three names Bahij Tabbara, Samir el Khatib, and Mohammad Safadi previously proposed. Senior Future Movement official Mustafa Allouch hunted on television that Hariri will not oppose his re-nomination given how critical the current situation is.
- 65 MPs are needed to agree on the prime minister.
Protesters force Sinioura out of AUB Assembly Hall
- A group of concert attendees at the American University of Beirut's annual Christmas concert demanded that Former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora leave the university's Assembly Hall.
- Attendees repeatedly chanted, "Revolution, revolution" and "Out, out; Senioura, get out" until Sinioura walked out of the hall.
REPOSTED FROM @Megaphonenews