Lebanon might witness a clash between Internal Security Forces (ISF) and opposition members tomorrow, if the opposition holds a demonstration in Beirut's central district despite an official decision by the Interior Ministry banning public gatherings. "We will go on with the demonstration, and we do not care about the ban, it is our constitutional right," said Antoine Nasrallah, senior official at the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), which is organising the demonstration to commemorate Lebanese Independence Day.The FPM is a Lebanese opposition movement, which has been vigorously calling for Lebanese independence from Syrian tutelage, and is headed by former army commander General Michel Aoun, who is currently in exile in France. "We just cannot understand how celebrating the Lebanese Independence Day might be a threat to internal security," said Nasrallah. "It just goes to prove that the current Lebanese authorities are going on with their suppressive methods, despite winds of change brought by the international community," he added, referring to UN Security Council resolution 1559 and the recent international pressure on both Beirut and Damascus to end the Syrian hegemony over Lebanon.
From his French exile, General Aoun also asserted on Tuesday the movement's intension to stage the peaceful demonstration, urging people to participate in the protest he labeled as "defying Syrian occupation". "This is not only celebrating Lebanese independence which took place 61 years ago, we are also remembering that this independence is still incomplete, as Lebanon is still suffering from Syrian occupation." Aoun said that the demonstration will take place under international focus, as "all eyes were open and watching events in Lebanon" in the wake of UN resolution 1559.