Demonstrators blocked the road outside the French embassy in Beirut on Monday after a French court postponed the release of Lebanese leftist militant George Abdallah, who has spent 28 years in jail, as Prime Minister Najib Miqati condemned the “unjustified” delay. Dozens of leftist protesters and supporters of Abdallah rallied in front of Paris’ embassy in the Mathaf area, condemning the policies of France and accusing it of being a proxy for the United States, which has openly rejected the release of the Lebanese activist.

"France is an American whore," protesters sprayed on the mission’s walls in French and in Arabic. A number of young demonstrators tried to storm the embassy but were repelled by security forces who reinforced their presence in the vicinity of the French diplomatic building. Both the organizers of the protest and the family condemned any attempt to attack the embassy or security forces protecting its premises.

“We reject to be turned by some enthusiastic youths into guards for the embassy. We urge everyone to abide by democratic means and refrain from hurling any objects at the embassy’s building,” Joseph Abdallah, George’s brother, told reporters. [Link]