MP Mozaya: Protests were over livelihood demands

Source: Nowlebanon.com, 28-1-2008
MP Chamel Mozaya of the Change and Reform bloc expressed his regret over yesterday's incidents in Beirut, which resulted in the deaths of eight people who were protesting against livelihood conditions.
"One must not jump to conclusions ahead of the army's investigations into the party responsible for these incidents," Mozaya told NOW Lebanon.
He also stressed the need to uncover those who shot at the Lebanese army. "Such actions endanger stability in Lebanon and might lead to the unknown," he added.
Commenting on the fact that only Shiyyah residents burned tires and blocked roads, while residents of other regions did not do the same despite having similar problems, Mozaya said he wished that power cuts had occurred in Beirut, so that the region could "taste" this problem.
"To my luck, the power broke up and we saw what happened," he declared.
"People are not demonstrating in Jbeil and Kesrouan, for they have lost faith in the government. Our region is deprived of electricity, water and roads," Mozaya said.
He also denied that yesterday's confrontations with the Lebanese army were aimed at undermining Army Commander General Michel Sleiman or obstructing his election as president.
"Yesterday's protests had to do with livelihood conditions." Mozaya said. "Had they been aimed at starting trouble, they would not have sacrificed eight people. There is always someone to make the situation explode, and this someone must be uncovered," he added.