On day 65, protesters reject Diab
- Protesters burnt tyres and blocked roads in Zahle, Beirut, Saadnayel, Taalabaya, Qab Elias,Al-Marj, Al-Masna’a, Naameh, Jiye, Tripoli, Halba, Abdeh, and Bireh to denounce the decision to name Hassan Diab as prime minister. Protesters marched in Beirut and Tripoli, chanting against Diab, while hundreds of motorcyclists
- demonstrated outside his residence in Talet el Khayat for the second night in a row.
- Protesters also organized a sit-in outside Bank Audi’s main branch in Bab Idriss, Beirut, holding posters with pictures of the heads of commercial banks and blaming them for the crisis. They also demanded that depositors’money not be withheld.
Diab meets with former prime ministers
- The Prime Minister-designate Hassan Diab visited former prime ministers Fouad Senioura, Tamam Salam, Selim Hoss, and Saad Hariri.
- Following his meeting With Hariri in Beit el-Wasat, Diab announced that the “atmosphere has been positive with everyone” and that he seeks to form a cabinet of independent specialists without wasting any further time.
Clashes in Corniche el Mazraa
- A large group of young men, allegedly Future Movement supporters, blocked the main road in Corniche el Mazraa, nearby the Gamal Abdel Mosque. They decried the naming of Diab as prime minister, chanting, “Allah, Hariri, Tarik Jdide.”
- Hariri tweeted, “Those who really love me should leave the streets immediately.”
- The Lebanese army attempted to forcibly open the roads, leading to clashes with the men. A number of men threw rocks at the Lebanese army, while others present in the scene urged them not to. There were injuries reported on both sides. Later in the night, security forces fired teargas at the supporters.
David Hale meets with Aoun, Berri, and Hariri
- U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, David Hale, met With President Michel Aoun in Baabda Palace, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri in Ain el-Tineh, and former Prime Minister Saad Hariri in Beit el-Wasat.
- Hale will ill be meeting With Lebanese Forces Leader Samir Geagea on Saturday. Hale stated that he was sent at the request of the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to urge Lebanon’s politicians to put aside party interests and form a committed and trustworthy government.
- He added that the US. does not play a role in deciding who should be in government but is willing to assist Lebanon enter “a new chapter of economic prosperity”.
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