LOC18:34
15:34 GMT
BEIRUT, Oct 22 (KUNA) -- Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Al-Hariri on Tuesday assured protesting Lebanese that he would not allow any party to threaten them and affirmed that the state adopted protection of citizens expressing their views peacefully.
The prime minister, in a statement released by his bureau after a meeting with representatives of the "international support group," said the planned reforms he had announced "constituted the initial step" adding that they were adopted with unanimity among the government members.
He reiterated that he had not engineered these measures for sake of asking the protestors to stop demonstrating and manifesting their wrath, also expressing his readiness to consider their demand for holding early elections to elect new leaders to run the country.
Meanwhile, United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL) Jan Kubic said the international group representatives, during their meeting today with the premier, expressed support for the planned reforms and the government decision that "rise to aspirations of the Lebanese people."
He praised the Lebanese people democratic expressions, their demand for basic changes and the national security forces for their respect for the peaceful protests.
The international group comprises ambassadors of the United States, Russia, France, Britain, Germany, Italy, China, the European Union, the UN coordinators and a representative of the Arab League. (end)
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