Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Saturday condemned recent armed displays in Beirut, calling them “entirely unacceptable under any circumstances or pretext,” and urged swift legal action against those responsible.

“These armed displays undermine the rule of law and the stability of the country,” Salam said. “They are unacceptable in every sense and cannot be justified under any pretense.”

Salam said he had contacted both Interior Minister Ahmad Al-Hajjar and Justice Minister Adel Nassar, instructing them to take all necessary measures in line with the country’s laws to arrest the perpetrators and refer them to judicial authorities for investigation.

A recent video circulating on social media showed several individuals carrying weapons as they took part in a religious procession commemorating Ashura in the Zqaq al-Blat neighborhood of Beirut.