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Amal Warns Media against 'Spreading Lies' on Involvement in Protest Violence

Speaker Nabih Berri's Amal Movement denied on Monday accusations that its members stirred riots during the latest anti-trash demonstration held in downtown Beirut.

“Some media outlets have been claiming that Amal is involved in an attempt to stir strife and have accused the movement's members of seeking to stir riots to shove it in the latest events,” Amal's press office said in a statement.

Such accusations are “not true,” it said.

The statement accused the media outlets of lacking “professionalism and objectivity.”

The press office urged the media to inquire about any issue linked to the movement and warned them against “spreading lies.”

The statement added that Amal had the right to pursue them legally.

On Sunday, the “You Stink” online group and other protest organizers pulled their supporters out of downtown Beirut's Riad al-Solh Square and moved to the Martyrs' Square after men they described as political thugs began fighting with police.

The thugs, which some media reports said belonged to Amal, tried to tear down a barbed wire fence separating the crowds from the Grand Serail and threw molotov cocktails on security forces.

The violence sparked battles, which left scores injured.

One of the protesters, who was seriously injured in the head, died early Monday.

G.K.

D.A.


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