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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Charges over Lebanon riot deaths |
| 2008-02-12 |
| Lebanese prosecutors have charged 19 soldiers, including three officers, over the fatal shooting of opposition protesters during riots last month. Seven protesters were killed on 27 January in a mainly Shia suburb during protests over power cuts. Correspondents say the shootings raised tensions in Lebanon, already in a deep political crisis, to new levels. The indictment says six victims were killed by army bullets. An enquiry is ongoing to find who killed the seventh. Lebanon has been without a president since 23 November due to divisions between the pro-Western ruling majority and pro-Syrian opposition. A parliamentary vote to elected a new leader was delayed for a 14th time on Monday. Rival Lebanese factions have agreed in principle to elect army chief Gen Michel Suleiman, but have repeatedly disagreed over constitutional details and the make-up of the cabinet. The army has been seen as one of the country's most neutral institutions, but a BBC correspondent in Beirut says the latest killings threaten to draw it into the conflict. |
| Posted by:anonymous5089 |