• A sit-in will take place in front of the Parliament building in Beirut at 18:00 (local time) on July 13.
• The sit-in will be held in support of the families of the victims of the August 4, 2020 Port of Beirut explosion and to call upon the caretaker Lebanese government to lift the immunity of three ex-ministers who are wanted for questioning in connection to the explosion.

1. Tensions surrounding the probe into the August 4, 2020 Port of Beirut explosion have been on the rise in recent weeks. On July 9, the caretaker Minister of Interior, Mohamed Fahmy, rejected the request of the lead judge in the case, Tareq Bitar, to question the Head of the General Directorate of General Security, Abbas Ibrahim. On the same day, the Lebanese parliament demanded more proof before they lift the immunity of the three ex-ministers who are wanted for questioning in connection to the explosion. This has further elevated anti-government sentiments as the families of the victims of the Port of Beirut explosion perceive this as an attempt by the caretaker government to impede the investigation. This has triggered protests in front of the residence of Parliament Speaker, Nabih Berri, and the Parliament building in Beirut in recent days. These protests have turned unruly as Lebanese troops have attempted to prevent demonstrators from gathering around these sensitive buildings. 
2. FORECAST: In light of these heightened sensitivities surrounding the protest issue, the planned sit-in is likely to garner a large turnout, potentially in the high dozens to low hundreds. Security presence will be heightened in the vicinity of the Parliament building ahead of the planned event to prevent demonstrators from gathering in close proximity to this sensitive location. Although the protesters are unlikely to engage in violent activity, there is a high likelihood of localized scuffles between the protesters and security forces in the event that the latter uses force to prevent the former from mobilizing. Nevertheless, given the high anticipated turnout at the event, traffic disruptions can be expected along roads surrounding the Parliament building during the evening hours of July 13.

Those operating or residing in Beirut during the evening hours of July 13 are advised to avoid nonessential travel to the vicinity of the Parliament building due to the planned sit-in and the potential for localized unrest at the locale.