Sources from Lebanon's Free Patriotic Movement accused on Sunday the Amal Movement of standing behind popular protests that kicked off during the weekend from Beirut's Dahieh, the Hezbollah stronghold in the southern suburbs.
According to the sources, the protests which reached the Presidential Palace in Baabda, carried a political message to President Michel Aoun.
“It is well-known that protests coming from Dahiyeh are either pushed for by Hezbollah or the Amal Movement of Speaker Nabih Berri. Hezbollah does not carry out such actions. However, we known which party has "motorcycles,” the sources said, hinting at the Amal Movement.
“All these protests would not change any of our stances. They will only cause some tension and the block roads,” the sources noted.
Meanwhile, sources close to the Amal Movement firmly denied their link to the protests that started on Saturday night.
“The Amal Movement would announce if it supported any protest. There are legal measures to be taken before organizing such events,” the sources affirmed.
They also reiterated the position of Berri, who called on his supporters a few months ago to stop protesting in streets.
Hezbollah and Amal had also issued a joint statement on Sunday night denying having any links to the incidents.
During the weekend, protesters in Lebanon took to the streets, blocking roads with burning tires and lashing out at political leaders for failing to form a new government and causing a severe economic crisis.
The rallies continued until Monday morning. The National News Agency reported that protesters have cut off highways in Kosba, Byblos, Zouk Mosbeh, Mazraat Yachouh, Antelias, Sidon, Tyre, Adloun, Jiyyeh, Chekka and the Bekaa with tires and trash dumpsters.
