Lebanese Salafi Protesters Attack Security Forces Near French Embassy

Groups of protesters supporting one of the Salafi Islamic parties in Lebanon clashed today, Friday, with security forces in an attempt to break through one of the barriers leading to (Qasr Al-Snoubar- the Palace of the Pines), in Beirut where the French embassy is located.

The protesters participated in the march called by the party to denounce the cartoons that insulted the Prophet Muhammad (may God bless him and grant him peace)

The protesters threw stones, iron tools, and glass containers at security personnel and riot control forces at one of the checkpoints where the Internal Security Forces (police) were stationed.

Al-Tahrir Party (a Salafi Islamist faction)  in Lebanon had called for a mass march towards the headquarters of the French Embassy, to protest against the insulting cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, published by Charlie Hebdo, a French satirist magazine.

A large number of party members and supporters participated in the march, most of them come from the northern regions, especially the city of Tripoli.

That city is known as the main stronghold of the Sunni sect in Lebanon.

A number of Lebanese premiers came from the city over the decades following the independence of Lebanon in 1946.

The security forces have set up multiple security checkpoints and barriers in the vicinity of the French embassy and the streets leading to it, as well as the residence of the French ambassador, Anne Greau.

The marchers were unable to penetrate through the security cordon and advance to locations near the headquarters of the French Embassy.

So they were content with standing in front of one of the security barriers blocking the road.

The streets leading to the   French Embassy turned into battlefields and chaos reigned, as rioters retreated under the influence of tear gas, trying to turn around from other sides to throw stones and sharp tools at the security forces.

The Lebanese riot police surprised a number of the attackers and surrounded them from back roads and managed to arrest them.