Chief of the Lebanese Hizbullah terror organization Hasan Na’srallah accused groups linked to the American Embassy in Beirut of being behind the violent riots on Thursday on the outskirts of the capital.
Five people were reportedly killed in clashes with the Lebanese army and some 40 were injured during protests against soaring fuel costs and the country’s deteriorating economic situation. Labor unions also called for a general strike.
In a news conference, Na’srallah said groups “linked to the American Embassy” spread tension and chaos to other districts after forces fired on protesters in the impoverished A-Sulum neighborhood. A-Sulum neighborhood is reportedly a stronghold of Hizbullah.
Security officials claim they fired warning shots to disperse the hundreds of rioters but that some people were hurt.
Na’srallah said he has given names of those who operated the groups to the Lebanese authorities, and demanded an investigation to name those responsible for the riots.
“We strongly condemn any hostilities on the army,” he said, “but we also strongly condemn opening fire which leads to the killing and injuring of civilians and demonstrators.”
Na’srallah expressed surprise that protests took place elsewhere in Lebanon, but no one was hurt in other areas. He was also surprised that bullets were fired at rock-throwers and aimed at their chests rather than at their legs.
Na’srallah’s comments follow other remarks made recently in which he warned Americans against a “second intifada,” angered over what he claimed was a violation of Shi’ite shrines in Iraq. Thousands attended a mass demonstration clad in shrouds showing their willingness to die as martyrs to protect holy sites.