Lebanese army urges anti-govt. protesters to open blocked roads as Hariri quits
Tehran (KNA) - The Lebanese army has called on demonstrators to unblock roads following the resignation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri in the aftermath of about two weeks of anti-government protests nationwide.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the army command acknowledged the Lebanese people's right to "peaceful demonstration and expression of opinion in public squares only."
The army urged "all demonstrators to initiate the opening of all closed routes to restore life back to normal, in implementation of the law and the rules of public order."
Also on Wednesday, Lebanese troops managed to clear the Jal al-Dib highway, north of Beirut, after briefly scuffling with demonstrators.
The Al Jadeed TV network aired footage showing soldiers trying to pick up a vehicle blocking the highway before it drove off.
At the Ring Bridge, which connects east and west Beirut, a security officer tried to persuade crowds to clear the way to nearby hospitals.
The Beirut-based Daily Star newspaper reported that protesters had agreed to open the roads and voluntarily removed tents set up on the Jal al-Dib highway.
Prime Minister Saad Hariri stepped down on Tuesday, surrendering to one of the demands of the protesters, who accuse the ruling political elite of dragging the country to economic collapse.
Hariri said he had reached a "dead end" in trying to resolve the crisis that has paralyzed Lebanon for two weeks.
Source: PressTV