Lebanon begins removing concrete barriers around Parliament

Newly elected independent MPs had vowed to remove slabs that have shielded building since 2019 protests

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  Workers remove sections of the concrete barrier, which was erected by Lebanese security forces in 2020 to bar access to streets leading to the country's parliament building, at the entrance of the Lebanese Parliament in the capital Beirut. AFP

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  Lebanese authorities have ordered that the concrete barriers that have blocked access to the Parliament building since 2019 be removed. EPA

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  The blockade was put in place after nationwide protests against Lebanon's ruling classes broke out. EPA

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  The removal of the barrier comes after parliamentary elections on May 15. EPA

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  Among those elected were 13 independent opposition MPs — many of whom were linked to the uprising in 2019. AFP

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  Of the independents, 12 will be entering Parliament for the first time, most of whom had previously called for the barriers to be taken down. AP

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  New MP Elias Jradi said: 'There are no walls that rise between the representatives of the nation and citizens.' EPA

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  The blocks were being carted away and workers cleaned the surrounding streets. EPA

Lebanese authorities have begun removing concrete barriers that have blocked access to Parliament in Beirut since 2019.

These were erected amid nationwide protests against Lebanon's ruling classes.

Their removal comes after parliamentary elections on May 15. Among those elected to the 128-seat Parliament were 13 independent opposition MPs — many linked to the 2019 demonstrations.

Of the independents, 12 will be entering Parliament for the first time. Many had previously called for the removal of the barriers.

“There are no walls that rise between the representatives of the nation and citizens,” new MP Elias Jradi said on Twitter on Monday morning.

Late on Monday afternoon, authorities removed some of the blocks that had shielded arliament from the general public. A small crowd gathered on Monday, waving Lebanese flags and chanting slogans.

Work recommenced late on Tuesday morning.

Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi said the easing of restrictions was his duty after the elections results.

“The people who were protesting here are now inside,” he said on Monday. “Some of them are in the Parliament.”

The office of Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri said the work would be finished before the next session begins.