In a protest against Egypt’s siege on Gaza, Lebanon proves to be an ARAB regime

Another time, Lebanon proves to be just like any other Arab regime, where civilians are oppressed, attacked and their freedoms taken away from them by the state authorities. Today, more than 200 protesters from leftist political parties and independent activists were demonstrating at the Egyptian Embassy in Beirut against the “Wall of Shame” built by the Egyptian authorities at the Gaza Strip. The demonstration was a peaceful one for almost an hour. The whole time, Lebanese Internal Security Forces (ISF), Army and riot police (قوى مكافحة الشغب) were gathered up around the embassy to stop the protesters from getting near it. After an hour, clashes broke between the soldiers and the protesters. When the protesters tried to spread away, soldiers of the ISF, riot police and the army ran towards the protesters attacking, chasing and beating them up. Many of the protesters were injured and severely hurt. They were attacking everyone violently, and specifically three girls. They arrested 2 guys from the Lebanese Communist Party but then let them go in an hour or so.
This was not the first time this happens in Lebanon. Last year, most protests were faced with water cannons and tear gas bombs. And this is fine, but what is unacceptable is when the protesters are chased and beaten up by these soldiers. And since when does the army interfere with civilian protests?! The faces of the Lebanese army soldiers were scary. They used extreme violence. Maybe it is time the army uses this violence against the real enemy, Israel, instead of the civilians who are supposed to be protected by the state authorities!
A letter has been written and is to be submitted to Lebanese minister Baroud by few independent Lebanese activists petitioning the army attack on the civilian protesters.
Respects to comrades,
Farah Kobaissi who was attacked by an army soldier and hit on her head while she was trying to take a video of the attacks on the protesters.
Nadine Beckdash who was trying to get a way from the army soldier who was chasing her trying to get his hands on her.
Two comrades from the Lebanese Communist Party who were badly beaten up, while bleeding, by numerous army soldiers.

Lebanon’s New Year’s Resolution

It seems like the New Year’s Resolution of the Lebanese is PALESTINE. Since the beginning of this year and all has been going on in Beirut are conferences for Palestine. Last Week there was a conference about the book and Palestine in Gefinor Hotel. Today, there is a conference about AlQuds, Jerusalem, in Assafir Hotel. The big surprise among these is Wednesday’s conference on the “Civil Rights of Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon” organized by Walid Junblat at the Bristol Hotel. On the same Wednesday too, there’s a lecture by Assaad Abu Khalil about “Palestine in the Lebanese context” in the American University of Beirut (AUB). And during the weekend, from 15th to 17th of January, the “Supporting the resistance” conference will be held in Beirut.

I am really interested in what is going on in Beirut since the beginning of 2010, but I am just worried that it is happening for specific purposes and by the end of the month people will forget that the Egyptian and Lebanese authorities are besieging Palestinians in Gaza and Nahr ElBared Refugee Camp!