Amal supporters violently attack protesters, two arrested
- Protesters faced an attack by Amal Movement supporters, in front of the Council of the South, in Jnah, Beirut. The attackers, armed with sticks, beat up and chased protesters taking part in a march to to "uncover sources of money squandering".
- Security forces were absent from the scene. A statement by the new Interior Minister, Mohamad Fahmi condemned the ‘barbaric’ methods and promised to track down perpetrators. Amal Movement called the attack “a reaction, in light of increased economic and social pressures, and ongoing provocations by protesters.” The Council of the South condemned the “squabble between residents and protesters.”
- At night, Internal Security Forces raided Bir Hassan arresting two suspects.
Day 100: protests continue amid increased state fortifications
- Protesters raised the fist of the revolution in Nabatiye as crowds gathered to celebrate the event, which came after 100 days of revolt. Another group, “the Husseiniya Revolution” held a counter—protest on site, opposing the fist and calling it “a freemason conspiracy”.
- In Tripoli, protesters occupied the Central Bank in a sit—in, asking for their rights and their deposits back. At night, demonstrators took off in a march from Nour Square to denounce Diab’s new government. In Beirut, additional fortifications were installed around parliament square, on store and bank fronts, and along the entrances of Beirut Souks.
- Widespread anti-government protests are planned to converge at parliament on Saturday.
Government kicks off work on ministerial statement
- As handover ceremonies continued for the second day within ministries, the government committee tasked with drafting the ministerial statement launched its first meeting, headed by Prime Minister Hassan Diab.
- Diab requested from the committee that the statement be “grounded in facts” and “devoid of fluff and false promises,” according to a press release by Information Minister Manal Abdel Samad.
- Abdel Samad stated that the committee had 22 days to come up with the statement by law, assuring that it plans to finish it well before then.
Security forces release detained protester Wael Hamze, arrest another
- Wael Hamze, the protester who got arrested after criticizing politicians and security forces on live television, was released on Friday by the Internal Security forces in Tripoli.
- Hamze got detained on Thursday, after he answered reporters’ questions during their live coverage of Beirut’s protest on Wednesday evening. Hamze decried the use of violence against protesters, and when asked about next steps, he answered: “Victory, imprisonment, or death.”
- Another woman was also summoned with Hamze on Thursday but was released immediately after. On Friday, security forces arrested an underage activist from a protest tent in the Bekaa, for unknown reasons.
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