Lebanese President Michel Aoun

Lebanese President Michel Aoun reacted to some insults against the religious figures in violent protests that erupted in parts of Beirut and urged the nation to unite.

Iran Press/Middle East:  The Lebanese President's office quoted him on Twitter, writing: "Insulting to the religious figures of the Lebanese tribes is insulting to the Lebanese family, and our strength will be in our national unity." 

الرئيس عون: التعرض لأي رمز ديني لأي طائفة لبنانية هو تعرض للعائلة اللبنانية وقوّتنا ستظل في وحدتنا الوطنية

— Lebanese Presidency (@LBpresidency) June 7, 2020

Describing the previous day protests as "a warning bell", Michel Aoun added that: "We must put our political disputes aside and rush toward to work together to revive our country from the depth of the successive crises," The Lebanese President added. 

He stressed that the Arab country's strength remains in its national unity.

Lebanese people took to streets to protest against the way the government handled the coronavirus pandemic, and for plunging the country into an economic crisis.

The Lebanese military on Sunday said overnight riots and sectarian tensions in central Beirut and other areas left dozens of people injured, including 25 soldiers, and warned that the clashes had endangered national unity.

However, the protests turned violent as people burned garbage bins and looted a furniture shop in the capital's upscale shopping district. The shop's windows and doors were broken.

People also took out a couch from the store to block a road.

On Saturday Lebanese resistance group Hezbollah issued a statement, rejected, and denounced the abusive chants circulated via social media websites, pointing out that they never reflect the moral and religious values of the Muslims.

Riot police fired tear gas at protesters, after Saturday's attempt to reboot anti-government demonstrations quickly degenerated into rioting and stone-throwing confrontations between opposing camps.

Lebanese troops deployed to separate the rival groups, and the tensions eventually subsided before dawn Sunday.

The Lebanese Red Cross said 48 demonstrators were wounded, 11 of whom were hospitalized.

Saturday's protests were the largest since the government last month began gradually easing a lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus.

Nationwide protests against Lebanon's political leaders had erupted on Oct. 17 amid an unprecedented economic and financial crisis but were eventually put on hold due to the pandemic.

205/219

Read More;

Hezbollah warns of sedition in Lebanon

Naeem Qasim: Liberation of southern Lebanon turning point in region's history

Zarif felicitates anniversary of liberation of southern Lebanon