Siniora: I will not give in to opposition's pressure
Lebanese prime minister tells his French counterpart de Villepin he will not resign his post despite opposition's massive show of force in Beirut Friday. Meanwhile, thousands of protesters prepare to spend night in tents on streets
Lebanon's Prime Minister Fouad Siniora declared Friday that despite the massive show of force staged by the opposition in Beirut, he has no plans to resign from office. Siniora spoke with Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, who phoned to express his support for the Lebanese leader.
Meanwhile, thousands of protesters have prepared to spend the night on Beirut's streets, and vowed not to return home until Siniora resigns.
The Lebanese PM stressed before de Villepin that he was "determined to continue on the same path, despite the pressures."
Jordan's King Abdullah also called Siniora Friday to express his support for "the unity of Lebanon."
Abdullah spoke with Siniora from India, where he is currently visiting, and told him he hopes that "the various political powers that operate in Lebanon do not destabilize the Lebanese society's unity."
Rally in Beirut (Photo: AP)
During the demonstration, protesters temporarily blocked off all roads leading to the offices of Siniora which were barricaded by fully armed troops and armored vehicles deployed around the Ottoman-style building.
The blockade was eased after a flurry of diplomacy and two of the three main access roads were cleared.
Responding to Hizbullah's call
Some 800,000 opposition supporters attended the huge rally in Beirut Friday, waved Lebanon flags and called for the resignation of Siniora and the establishment of a unity government. Most of the protesters have dispersed in the evening, but several thousands responded to Hizbullah's call and set up tents throughout the streets of the Lebanese capital
Security forces protest PM (Photo: AP)
According to the organizers, some 5,000 people are planning to remain in two central squares in town, and not leave until Siniora resigns. For this purpose, seven large tents have been erected at the town's center. Opposition activists will provide the protesters with food, water and electricity.
The demonstrators will continue to operate according to a special plan that had already been drafted, and which includes a series of political activities.
Hizbullah and their political allies are demanding the establishment of a “national unity government” in which Shiite Muslims have at least one-third representation.
If such a government is installed, Hizbullah chief Hassan Nasrallah will have veto power on important issues facing the Lebanese government, as Lebanese law demands a majority of two-thirds to pass decisions – including the decision to topple the government. As well, if one-third of lawmakers resign, the government automatically collapses.
Opposition members including Hizbullah, the Shiite Amal movement, and Michel Aoun loyalists, all agreed on an official name for their political camp Thursday; the National Lebanese Opposition Forces.
That was the name they would use in every protest operation which they said would “not stop until the demands, starting with a national unity government, are fulfilled.”
