The Lebanese army warned yesterday of what it described as reckless actions following protests against the framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon, amid fears that the Hezbollah militia could push the country into internal sectarian strife, after the government concluded a framework agreement with Israel that reshapes the geography of influence and control in southern Lebanon in favour of state sovereignty.
The army's warning came in the wake of demonstrations by Hezbollah supporters in Beirut against the framework agreement. The army called on "citizens to act responsibly."
It affirmed that army leadership would not permit any breach of security or threat to civil peace through reckless actions, road closures, or encroachment on public and private property. Hezbollah had yesterday rejected the framework agreement signed in Washington.
Lebanon's Cassation Public Prosecutor Ahmad Al Hajj tasked security agencies with taking the necessary measures to prevent security disturbances amid the prevailing tension.
He requested that security agency chiefs take the necessary security measures and procedures to prevent acts of rioting, encroachment on public and private property, road closures, obstruction of citizens' movement, and all acts liable to breach public security.
Beirut's southern suburbs witnessed a gathering of Hezbollah supporters protesting the framework agreement, during which they blocked roads. The army deployed personnel around the sites of the protests to prevent any confrontations or security developments.