Hezbollah supporters rally in Beirut’s Martyrs’ square against state authorities

BEIRUT — Supporters of Hezbollah gathered in Beirut’s Martyrs’ Square on Sunday afternoon for a sit-in criticizing Lebanon’s political leadership and state institutions, accusing them of failing to protect the country and its citizens, according to L'Orient Today's correspondent.

Demonstrators waved Hezbollah and Lebanese flags and held banners bearing the image of former Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah. Speakers at the gathering denounced what they described as official inaction in the face of ongoing Israeli attacks and called for broader public mobilization against the country's ruling authorities.

Hezbollah supporters have repeatedly expressed anger against the Lebanese state over its attempts to disarm the militia and for engaging in direct negotiations with Israel. The Lebanese government and the Lebanese Armed Forces have moved to restrict Hezbollah's weapons and military and security activities. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s cabinet declared the group's actions outside state authority as illegal, which supporters of Hezbollah and the Amal movement view as concessions to U.S. and Israeli demands.

Although a U.S.-brokered ceasefire remains formally in effect, hostilities have continued in southern Lebanon, with both sides accusing the other of violations.