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Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
Huge opposition rally in Beirut |
2006-12-01 |
Tens of thousands of supporters of the Hezbollah movement and its pro-Syrian allies have gathered in Beirut to protest against Lebanon's government. Security is tight amid fears that Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah's call to force out an "incapable government" could lead to violence. Christian opposition leader Michel Aoun told the crowd that PM Fouad Siniora and his cabinet had to resign. Mr Siniora has vowed to resist what he called an attempted coup. His government has been weakened by the resignation of pro-Syrian cabinet ministers and by a recent assassination. Hezbollah has been demanding a bigger share in the cabinet that would give it the power to veto government decisions. Mr Aoun said the government was not one of national unity and so was not constitutional. "I call on the prime minister and his ministers to resign," he told the cheering crowd in Beirut, many of them waving the flag of Lebanon. Sheikh Nasrallah has been emboldened by a conflict with Israeli forces in the summer that destroyed many parts of southern Lebanon but failed to shatter his movement's militia. Hezbollah accuses the Lebanese government of failing to support it during the conflict. However, the anti-Syrian parties that have the majority in government accuse Hezbollah of serving Syrian interests in their country. Many supporters of Hezbollah and its allies, including the party headed by Mr Aoun, were brought to Beirut in buses for a demonstration that started at 1500 local time (1300 GMT). Armoured vehicles and hundreds of troops have taken up positions to defend government buildings in the city, despite assurances from Sheikh Nasrallah that the protests would be peaceful. And if you can't believe Nasty, who can you believe? Mr Siniora's government has vowed to stand firm against the protests - but the death or resignation of another two ministers will automatically topple it. C'mon people, you're not trying! "Lebanon's independence is threatened and its democratic system is in danger," Mr Siniora said. "We will not allow the coup against the democratic system, its rules and institutions," he said. |
Posted by:anonymous5089 |
#19 Iran already has a major gateway to Israel, Tholumble Crealing1920. But, with "prowestern" Seniora gone, Israel will be able to do something about it (last time IDF had leg irons & one hand tied behind the back because George II wanted to preserve the C |
Posted by: gromgoru 2006-12-01 23:35 |
#18 "Western misperception of the Muslim concept of "freedom" is the enemy's most dangerous weapon." You sure got that right Sneaze--along with Western misperception of Muslims, period. |
Posted by: ex-lib 2006-12-01 23:00 |
#17 Islamofascism is on the march. Democracy is on the retreat. Western misperception of the Muslim concept of "freedom" is the enemy's most dangerous weapon. |
Posted by: Sneaze Shaiting3550 2006-12-01 21:29 |
#16 Hezbollah leaders had asked people not to wave the yellow flag of their movement, which features a fist holding a Kalashnikov rifle. Hmm . . . . |
Posted by: ex-lib 2006-12-01 18:23 |
#15 Aoun's bought and paid for - whore Yep, I was completely and absolutely wrong about that SOB. |
Posted by: Shipman 2006-12-01 18:13 |
#14 Hezbollah not lebanon seems to be protected by the UN.Will the UN stay in a "pro Syrian" Lebanon? |
Posted by: Snase Elmuns2991 2006-12-01 17:13 |
#13 A few well-placed car bombs as that rally could have shifted Lebanese demographics rather seriously. |
Posted by: Zenster 2006-12-01 17:08 |
#12 Gosh, the UN caught in the middle of a nasty civil war? Who woulda thunk it? Never saw that one coming, no sir... |
Posted by: mojo 2006-12-01 15:30 |
#11 According to the latest update posted at Michael Totten's site : Excerpt: Update. The Hizbullah militia has laid siege to the government building, trapping the prime minister and cabinet ministers inside. Roadblocks were set up by Hizbullah members in what can only be described as coup d'etat. The Lebanese army had to call Nabih Berri, and the Saudi King had to intervene through his ambassador, to "partially" remove the siege. Hizbullah "tents" are still on the roads, isolating the government building. |
Posted by: mrp 2006-12-01 14:54 |
#10 with Hizb in beirut, now would be a good time to dig out weapons in S lebanon |
Posted by: mhw 2006-12-01 13:27 |
#9 Where were the dozens of Israeli fighters with napalm? This would be a perfect time to do serious damage to Hezbollah and its "allies". The rest of the world hates Israel, so what would another "incident" mean? Maybe they'd even be able to get Nasty - in both forms. |
Posted by: Old Patriot 2006-12-01 12:59 |
#8 Most Muzzies dont work anyway so they have plenty time to protest whilst us westerners work for a living and dont protest!!!!. Thats why most Muslim countries are an economic disaster!!!!! |
Posted by: Ebbolump Glomotle9608 2006-12-01 12:48 |
#7 Aoun's bought and paid for - whore |
Posted by: Frank G 2006-12-01 12:21 |
#6 the A.P also reported the Lebanese PM as "Holed up". The A.P. WANTS Iran and Syria to control the entire MidEast...and to destroy Israel in the process. |
Posted by: Justrand 2006-12-01 12:17 |
#5 another "MILLION Man March"????? |
Posted by: 0369_Grunt 2006-12-01 11:32 |
#4 Well, with a population of almost 4 million... /Math Reportin B Hard |
Posted by: .com 2006-12-01 11:27 |
#3 Yahoo news breathlessly reported this rally includes one-fourth of the population of Lebanon! |
Posted by: Seafarious 2006-12-01 11:23 |
#2 Is this the March to |
Posted by: anonymous5089 2006-12-01 10:56 |
#1 This event should be watched very closely. Iran will have a major gateway to Israel and the Mediterranean if the Hezbollah succeeds. The potential for this conflict is major as all those UN troops will be caught in the middle and Israel might get involved again too. |
Posted by: Tholumble Crealing1920 2006-12-01 10:47 |