Director General of the Internal Security Forces, Major General Imad Othman, addressed the protesters in Downtown Beirut's Martyrs' Square on Sunday evening, urging them to keep their movement peaceful while assuring them that they will be protected by the Constitution and the Law.
"I came here to warn the military that the people here are our people, and this is what I stressed during our meeting in the morning," he said.
"It is our joint responsibility, all together, to prevent violence," Othman emphasized, adding, "I hope that the demonstrators would provide an example to the whole world about Lebanon's civilized facet."
"I am an officer in the Internal Security Forces, and I am affiliated with the state and not with any political party or side. I am acting in my capacity as the director general of the security forces in the state," Othman underlined.
"The movement must remain peaceful, and this is guaranteed by the Law," he asserted.
Othman pointed to the regretful incidents of last night, which led to the injury of security forces individuals and demonstrators, noting that those who appeared in black outfits were from the Investigation Department and were at the Parliament House. "We are investigating them," he said.
Othman reiterated his condemnation of any act of violence, deeming it "shameful" and "leads to nowhere."
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