Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri cheered by the crowd in downtown Beirut on Feb. 14, 2023, during the commemoration of the assassination of his father, Rafic Hariri. (Photo taken from the Twitter account @saadhariri)
The Future Movement on Thursday called on its supporters to refrain from joining gatherings ahead of the major march scheduled for Feb. 14, marking the 20th anniversary of the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri.
“Following recent provocations and condemnable incidents in the neighborhoods of Beirut and its suburbs caused by marches of individuals belonging to other parties, the Future Movement calls on all its supporters, in Beirut and throughout all regions, to stay away from any celebration demonstrations and not to organize marches in the neighborhoods before the commemoration,” stated the party.
The Sunni party's statement follows calls for calm issued by other Lebanese political groups after parades organized by supporters of Hezbollah and the Amal Movement last Sunday in certain Christian neighborhoods of Beirut to celebrate the return to south Lebanon of displaced residents. Mounted on their mopeds, these supporters flaunted weapons, flags, and provocative slogans, especially in the neighborhoods of Furn al-Shebbak and Ain al-Remmaneh, Gouraud Street in Gemmayzeh and Hazmieh, according to videos posted on social media that sparked outrage.
“The Future Movement urges focus on the major mobilization planned at the mausoleum in Freedom Square [near the Blue Mosque in Martyrs' Square] in downtown Beirut on Friday, February 14th to commemorate the martyr prime minister, with [former] Prime Minister Saad Hariri and all loyal persons,” the text added.
“We highly appreciate the passion and enthusiasm displayed by its supporters and sympathizers in view of participating in the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the martyr president Rafic Hariri, on February 14, under the slogan 'On the 20th, we will return to our place.'”
