Lebanese Protesters Rally Against Pompeo's Visit In Beirut

Tens of Lebanese protesters gathered outside the US Embassy in a Beirut suburb on Thursday to rally against US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's visit this week as part of his three-stop tour of the Middle East

AAOUKAR (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st March, 2019) Tens of Lebanese protesters gathered outside the US Embassy in a Beirut suburb on Thursday to rally against US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's visit this week as part of his three-stop tour of the middle East.

The protest was organized by the Communist Party and grassroots groups. Demonstrators were chanting anti-US slogans, accusing Washington of stopping Syrian refugees from going back.

"Pompeo is coming to Beirut to force US projects on Lebanon in the interest of [Israel].

They want to strike a 'deal of the century' at Lebanon's expense that will prevent Syrians from going home and stop it from rebuilding Syria," Communist Party chief Hanna Gharib said at the rally.

He added the United States was trying to become Lebanon's sole arms supplier by stopping it from buying from other countries.

Security has been stepped up outside the US diplomatic mission, with police and army on standby. A Sputnik correspondent said there were water cannons at the ready but the demonstration was peaceful.