NEWS: Anti-Syrian protesters take to Beirut's streets despite ban, page 1

posted on Feb, 28 2005 @ 03:37 AM

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Thousands of anti-Syrian protesters took to Beirut's streets late Sunday in defiance of a ban by Lebanon's pro-Damascus government against demonstration. About 10,000 people demonstrated shortly before parliament was to debate a motion of confidence in the pro-Syrian government. Opposition lawmakers are expected to demand details about the attack of popular former Lebanese premier Rafik Hariri. Karami told Al-Arabiya TV that his government "may or may not survive" the debate.

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"Opposition leaders are calling on the government to resign, a government which they see as staunchly pro-Syrian," CNN's Brent Sadler reported Monday.

The crowds gathered Monday in Martyr Square despite an order a day earlier by Lebanon's Interior Ministry for military forces to "use all necessary means" to maintain order and make sure the demonstrations did not take place.

Syrian Cabinet Minister Bouthaina Shaaban denied Sunday that Syria was involved in the killing, despite the U.S. State Department's contention that Syria is a state sponsor of terrorism and that Islamic Jihad, Hamas and Hezbollah operate with Syrian support.

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Walid Jumblatt, the most prominent anti-Syrian voice in Lebanon, says Hariri's death was the work of Syrian and Lebanese intelligence agents, an accusation their governments have denied.

Israel Radio reported Monday that Beirut's pro-Syrian government had agreed to resign last week, but that the commander of Syrian intelligence in Lebanon had forbade it from doing so.

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[edit on 28-2-2005 by Riwka]

FredT

posted on Feb, 28 2005 @ 08:06 AM

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Interesting that you mention Walid Jumblatt. He has indicated that he may also be a target: Either this is an elaborate false flag that someone has brought off or Syria way overplayed thier hand.

Lebanon's Jumblatt Fears He May Be Target

MUKHTARA, Lebanon - In his final days former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri feared for his life — and that of his ally, Walid Jumblatt.

Jumblatt, the most prominent anti-Syrian voice in Lebanon, recalled a conversation he had with Hariri about two weeks before his assassination.

"I have a feeling one of us is going to be killed, either you or me," Jumblatt quoted Hariri as saying.
Lebanon's Jumblatt Fears He May Be Target

Riwka

posted on Feb, 28 2005 @ 10:19 AM

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Some 20,000 anti-Syrian protesters took to Beirut's streets Monday.

A general strike shut down banks, schools and public and private businesses.

The troops took no action against hundreds of demonstrators draped in Lebanese flags. Some soldiers and police even sympathized with the demonstrators, and were seen advising newcomers on how to evade the cordon.

Opposition and Druze leader Walid Jumblatt vowed to continue protests until the government falls.

"We want the truth. Who killed Rafik Hariri?" he said in a telephone interview on Hariri's Future television.

He urged the people to "go down today, tomorrow, for a month or two months until the regime falls." (AP)

Meanwhile, Syrians holding accounts in Lebanese banks have "stormed" the banks and withdrew some $3.5 billion of the estimated $10-12 billion that belong to Syrian businessmen and government and army officials (Ynet)

Rebekka

[edit on 28-2-2005 by Riwka]