Maronite Archbishop of Beirut chastises politicians
- During a sermon held in Gemmayze’s Mar Maroun church for the Mar Maroun holiday, Maronite Archbishop of Beirut Boulos Abdel Sater urged politicians on Sunday to act on protesters’ demands or to do the honorable thing and resign.
- Addressing President Michel Aoun, Prime Minister Hassan Diab and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Abdel Sater chastised the politicians’ idleness given the months-long protests.
- Extra security measures were taken to prevent protesters from getting close to the Mar Maroun church in Gemmayze.
Beirut in lockdown in preparation to vote of confidence
- Unprecedented security measures were put in place ahead of tomorrow’s parliamentary session, set to vote on giving confidence to the new cabinet. New concrete walls were placed around the Martyrs’ Square area and checkpoints were set up outside Beirut to intercept incoming buses from the North and South.
- Revolutionary groups have called for a general strike as well as blocking roads around parliament to prevent MPs from convening. Students in Hamra and protesters in Saida’s Elia roundabout have already staged marches in the evening. Hundreds also gathered in Martyrs’ Square, many of which plan to stay overnight.
Parties split about government confidence ahead of session
- Future Movement MPs confirmed their participation in Tuesday’s parliamentary session while giving a no-confidence vote to the new government. This decision came on the heels of similar stances by representatives of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP), and the Lebanese Forces. However, the Syrian Socialist National Party, the Kataeb,as well as MPs Osama Saad, Chamel Roukoz and Neemat Frem Will boycott the session.
- The March 8 alliance, which holds a 69-strong majority in parliament, will grant confidence to Hassan Diab’s government, surpassing the needed 65 votes to legitimize the cabinet.
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