Conflict Incident Report

Around 20 of activists engaged in brief standoff with police and army serviceman, who prevented them from entering the Nejmeh Square in Beirut’s downtown.

"You're a disgrace to the Lebanese army," one protester told a soldier after the latter prevented an activist from going to the square where the Parliament is located by using force.

"This became an occupation," another said.

The activists are affiliated to "The Choice of Citizenship," which includes 33 activist groups from across Lebanon.

Around eight policemen and soldiers were standing behind metal barricades as protesters attempted to go into the premises of the Nejmeh Square.

The activist group had called for the rally to demand the staging of the Parliamentary elections.

"We want elections. We want a proportional vote law," the group said on its Facebook page.

"Are you hearing me occupier? This Parliament will be dissolved," protesters chanted.

“Your children and ours will ask us what we did to protect Lebanon ... a peaceful citizens is a threat? shame on you,” one activist said.

Rival political groups remain at odds over the shape of the new electoral law that will govern the upcoming elections.

Parliamentary elections were originally scheduled to take place between May 21 and June 21, yet political deadlock is expected to delay elections beyond June.

The last parliamentary elections were held in 2009. Terms were extended twice in 2013 and 2014.

Speaker Nabih Berri Saturday postponed a key Parliament session on May 29 until June 5 as politicians still scramble to agree on a new electoral law.

Parliament's term expires on June 20.

A statement read by one of the protesters demanded lawmakers to adopt a proportional system based on large constituencies.

The statement was read from inside the security square of the Parliament after 10 protesters managed to enter the vicinity.

“We haven’t been allowed to raise our voices in this square (Nejmeh Square) since 2012,” the statement read.

The statement urged the Lebanese people to hold officials accountable, criticizing President Michel Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Saad Hariri for failing to meet their pledges and hold timely elections.

The group said it rejects all the proposed “sectarian” vote law and the current 1960 majoritarian vote law.

“Stop violating our rights,” the statement added.

“You have expired. Leave.”