Summary
Thousands of people, including several celebrities, Army officers and party officials, attended the 7th edition of the Live Achrafieh festival over the weekend, despite security warnings and concerns over cancellation in recent weeks. From mid-afternoon Saturday to the early hours, residents from across the city flooded Sassine Square and its neighboring streets to celebrate music.
Ignored by the organizers at first, the news that Live Achrafieh might not take place this year had become so widespread in social media that Tourism Minister Michel Pharaon had to dismiss doubts days earlier.
On the day of the festival, Interior Minister Nouhad Machnouk reminded the public that Lebanon's security situation was under control during a joint news conference with Pharaon in Ashrafieh.
More than just about the Live Achrafieh festival, the news conference was also aimed at reassuring prospective tourists to Lebanon as the summer begins.
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