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Lebanese army to protect demonstrators, won't allow closures - commander

General Joseph Aoun inspecting army units deployed in Beirut
General Joseph Aoun inspecting army units deployed in Beirut
BEIRUT, Nov 17 (KUNA) -- Lebanese army commander General Joseph Aoun said Sunday the army would protect demonstrators but would not allow closure of roads and restrictions of transportation, "which were guaranteed by international agreements." Aoun, as he was inspecting army units deployed in Beirut and Mount Lebanon, said "recent arrests were against elements that triggered riots, confronted the army and attempted to stop it from executing its tasks." Those elements, he added, "included non Lebanese people and others who possessed drugs," according to a statement by the army command.
Aoun urged the people to turn a deaf ear towards rumors "which aimed at misleading the public opinion, and cause a rift between citizens and military institutions." Large numbers of Lebanese people have been staging demonstrations since October 17 in protest against deteriorating economic conditions and corruption.
Prime Minister Saad Al-Hariri resigned on October 29. (end) kbs.bs