Lebanon's parl't majority slams opposition's move to step up protest campaign

Lebanese parliamentary majority on Monday slammed opposition's decision to broaden the scope of protests in central Beirut to involve other vital areas.

In a statement, the parliamentary majority accused the opposition of "pursuing the policy of unilateralism, procrastination, trouble-making and escalation", while the government was doing its utmost to make an international donor conference due to be held in Paris later this month a successful one.

Meanwhile, the pro-government majority also accused the opposition of attempting to "abort the international tribunal" on the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri, insisting on defending Lebanon's national economy.

The only way to settle Lebanon's accumulated financial, economic and social crises is a "consensus on a reform program that may enable Lebanon to make use of unprecedented Arab and international support for a country like Lebanon," they argued.

Earlier on Monday, the opposition said they would escalate their protests, which they commenced on Dec. 1, 2006, with the aim of toppling the government and forming a national unity one.

They decided to launch serial protests targeting public offices throughout the country and extend sit-ins to include ministries and state departments.

Source: Xinhua