Spanish government dismisses call for Catalan talks
Spain’s government dismissed calls on Saturday from Catalonia’s pro-independence regional chief for talks over a wave of violence sparked by the jailing of separatist leaders, as police braced for fresh protests.
Barcelona saw its worst night of disturbances in decades on Friday as masked youths blocked roads with blazing garbage bins and hurled rocks at security forces, who responded by firing repeated rounds of smoke grenades and tear gas, Reuters reported.
Catalonia’s President, Quim Torra, said the violence did not reflect the peaceful nature of the traditional Catalan independence movement and asked for discussions with Madrid.
“We urge the acting prime minister of the Spanish government to sit at a negotiating table to talk,” he told reporters.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Torra must first unequivocally condemn the unrest.
“Mr Torra must strongly condemn the violence, which he has not done so far,” Sanchez said in a statement, adding he also needed to build bridges with the many Catalans who do not want secession.
“The government of Spain reiterates that the problem of Catalonia is not independence, which will not occur because it is not legal and nor do the majority of Catalans want it, but rather coexistence,” he said.
Protests erupted this week after Spain’s Supreme Court handed down lengthy prison terms to nine Catalan leaders for their role in a failed independence bid in 2017, which included holding a referendum that courts had deemed illegal.
Radical youth group Arran called for a new demonstration on Saturday against “police violence” and to demand the “freedom of all political prisoners”.
Police said they feared renewed confrontations and advised shopkeepers in the city center to close during the protest.
Independence is a highly divisive issue in Catalonia, which is Spain’s wealthiest region and has some 7.5 million inhabitants and its own language, parliament and flag.
An opinion poll in July showed backing for secession at its lowest level in two years, with 48.3% of people against and 44% in favor.
Spain’s main parties have consistently refused to hold an independence referendum in the region, although Sanchez’s Socialists have said they are open to dialogue on other issues.
“If before February 2020, Iran does not enact the Palermo and Terrorist Financing Conventions in line with the FATF Standards, then the FATF will fully lift the suspension of countermeasures and call on its members and urge all jurisdictions to apply effective counter-measures, in line with recommendation 19,” the Paris-based Thousands of demonstrators poured into Lebanon’s streets on Saturday for a third day of anti-government protests, directing growing rage at a political elite they blame for driving the country to the economic brink.
From the south to the east and north, protesters blocked roads, burned tires and marched through the streets to keep the momentum going, Reuters reported.
In central Beirut, the mood was fiery and festive with protesters of all ages waving flags and chanting for revolution outside upmarket retailers and banks that had their storefronts smashed in by some rogue rioters the night before.