Jumblat Advises 'You Stink' Activists to Avoid Falling Victim to Political Manipulation
Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat acknowledged on Sunday the “rightful” demands of the “You Stink” civil society campaign, warning against the manipulation of the movement.
He remarked via Twitter: “The activists should be cautious of attempts to politically manipulate and hinder their movement.”
Moreover, he advised the campaigners to “carefully study” their current situation.
The MP noted that it remains to be seen how the movement will be able to achieve its demands.
"I do not claim to know the answers because I am part of the political class that the demonstrators protested against," Jumblat remarked.
“Yesterday's rally differed from previous ones in that it truly reflected the pain of the people,” he added.
He also hailed the movement's achievement of creating a new wave in the country away from the March 8 and 14 rival political parties.
On Saturday, the “You Stink” civil society activists staged a huge protest in downtown Beirut against the current political deadlock in the country and officials' ongoing failure to resolve a waste management crisis that erupted in July.
The crisis started when the Naameh landfill was closed amid a failure to find an alternative which led to the piling up of garbage on streets throughout the country.
Thousands of protesters on Saturday demanded the resignation of Environment Minister Mohammed al-Mashnouq and called for holding Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq accountable for the use of force during a similar protest held a week ago.
They also called for the election of a new president.
They gave the government 72 hours to meet their demands, warning that after the deadline expires it will take escalatory measures not just in Beirut.
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