Tens of thousands of pro-Syrian demonstrators gathered in Beirut on Tuesday to denounce what they see as Western interference in Lebanon at a rally highlighting deep divisions in the country over Damascus's role.
| Mass pro-Syrian protest in Beirut (Photo: AFP) |
The gathering, called by Hizbullah
and its pro-Syrian allies, was held just 300 meters from the central Beirut square where opposition protesters, largely Christian, have held daily protests to demand a complete Syrian withdrawal form Lebanon.
The masses protested in support of Syrian President Bashar Assad and his struggle against the West.
Protestors said the large number of participants in the rally was a message to the United States and France, the countries that had recently used strong terms to call on Syria to fully withdraw from Lebanon.
“Israel listen to our voices, we shall not sell our honor to foreigners,” the loudspeakers blasted while thousands of Lebanese flocked to Beirut to join in the protest headed by Hizbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
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The rally’s main slogan slams foreign intervention of Lebanon’s internal affairs.
Syrian analysts say Hizbullah, not the Syrian presence in Lebanon, is the real target of the U.S. administration. Hizbullah leader Nasrallah has vowed his organization will never disarm.
Damascus-based political analyst Thabet Salem said he believes the Syrian withdrawal means nothing to the Americans.
"If they really cared about Lebanese sovereignty and elections they would have done something about it years ago," he said. "The important thing is Hizbollah and that's a very complex issue."
Thank you Assad
Buses and cars ferried supporters of Hizbullah and its allies from across Lebanon. At the Riad al-Solh square itself, Hizbullah members set up loud speakers and putting up Lebanese flags and banners.
Bearded young men in black looked after security, searched streets and even drainage holes for suspect objects.
"Thank you, Syria's Assad," a large banner said. "No to foreign interference," another said.
Nasrallah had urged demonstrators to carry only Lebanese, not party, flags. Pictures of Assad and Lahoud were also hoisted.
Mayhem without Syria
Hizbullah (Party of God) has warned of mayhem if Syrian
troops were to leave Lebanon, where the 1975-90 civil war ended with a fragile balance between the country's diverse main religious groups.
Lebanon is due to hold a general election by May.
The rally took place as Syrian soldiers based in the Lebanese mountain towns east of Beirut were dismantling military and communications equipment for a second day on Tuesday.
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