Mourners wept and showered rice Wednesday on the coffin of a slain government minister who opposed Syrian influence in this divided nation, as his supporters mobilized for a massive show of force at his funeral in the capital, Beirut. A strong turnout Thursday could further fuel the political crisis between anti-Syrian forces who back the Lebanese government and pro-Syrian groups led by the Shiite Muslim group Hezbollah, which wants to topple the Western-backed prime minister, Fuad Saniora.Just days before Tuesday's assassination, Hezbollah had threatened to hold mass protests of its own against the government. A Hezbollah official said Wednesday that the group would not carry out any action in the next few days "in order to calm the emotions." The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.
Still, in the newly charged atmosphere, many feared the crisis could move into the volatile streets. "This is scary. If things continue this way, who knows where we are heading," said Tony Gemayel, a 35-year-old relative participating in mourning ceremonies held by the Maronite Christian family in their ancestral hometown of Bikfaya in the mountains above Beirut.