Individuals on mopeds displaying the "resistance" flag in the Gemmayzeh neighborhood of Beirut. (Screenshot from a video taken from social media)
The Lebanese army announced in a statement on Monday that it had circulated patrols and “arrested several people while pursuing others involved” following motorized parades of Amal Movement and Hezbollah supporters in Christian neighborhoods of the capital the day before.
On Sunday night, supporters of Hezbollah and Amal rode motorcycles in Beirut in Christian areas that are generally unfavorable to them, displaying weapons, partisan flags and provocative slogans. They passed through the neighborhoods of Furn al-Shebbak and Ain al-Remmaneh, from Gouraud Street to Gemmayzeh, and in Hazmieh, according to videos posted on social media, under the pretext of celebrating the return of displaced residents to south Lebanon, even though 22 victims had fallen in south Lebanon the same day from Israeli gunfire.
“While some citizens on motorcycles and waving partisan flags participated in parades in several Lebanese regions last night, during which shots were fired into the air and various provocations occurred, which could threaten civil peace, the army circulated patrols to prevent clashes and restore stability, arresting some individuals and pursuing others involved,” the army's statement read.
The army command also “called on citizens to show a sense of responsibility and act wisely to preserve national unity and coexistence.”
