Beirut rally: Death to Israel, US

VIDEO - Hundreds of thousands of protesters thronged central Beirut's two central squares, Riyad al-Solh Square and Martyrs' Square on Sunday to participate in the Hizbullah-led opposition's second rally. In a huge show of force, the chanting crowds swamped two squares in the heart of the capital and rivers of men, women and children poured through surrounding streets demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora. "Siniora out," demonstrators shouted. "Beirut is free," others yelled as possibly the biggest rally in Lebanon's history kicked off in bright sunshine. Hizbullah’s deputy secretary-general, Naim Qassem, said during his speech at the anti-government rally in Beirut, “This is the largest crowd ever to attend a demonstration in Lebanon.” "I tell you that after the (Israeli) aggression ... There is no place for America in Lebanon," said Qassem speaking behind bullet proof-glass. "Walk down to the square of free Lebanon. Convene a press conference tonight or tomorrow and declare our resignation to the Lebanese people who want a unity government. Then we will ask the permission our great people and will extend our hand to you for partnership," he added. The crowd responded: "Death to America, death to Israel, long live a dignified Lebanon." The leader of Lebanon's Free Patriotic Party Michel Aoun told the crowd: "They claim to be the majority, but they steal from the majority and they degrade the law." "We are waiting for a decision in the next few days, that's the last chance. We are taking non-violent means but other means are also legitimate," he said Great tension filled the air as the fear of the opposition intensifying its steps against the government increases. Unlike previous rallies, in which the protesters refrained from waving Hizbullah flags, this time there was no shortage of the green and yellow flags. Flags of other opposition parties were also waved, including that of Michel Aoun's party. Lebanese anti-government protesters (Photo: AFP) Still, the great majority of flags waved in the rally were the red and white cedars of the Lebanese flag. Hizbullah's television network Al Manar broadcasted the rally and went to great lengths to make is look like a historical rally. The network called the rally: "A human storm that is unprecedented in the history of Lebanon." The network covered the rally from a number of posts and with a variety of cameras, in order to give the right impression of the masses that had arrived. On Saturday Lebanese daily al-Akhbar, which is associated with the Shiites, reported that government offices will be disrupted and major highways will be cut off by the opposition. A small pro-government rally was held in the northern town of Tripoli. Siniora and his ministers have been living in the government building in central Beirut since the protests started ten days ago. Also Sunday, a ceremony was held to mark a year since the assassination of anti-Syrian journalist Jubran Tweini, who was the editor-in-chief of pro-government daily al-Nahar. Tweini's daughter called on Lebanese President Emile Lahoud to resign. The ceremony was attended by Siniora. Hizbullah has been careful not to incite for violence to prevent a slide for civil war. Houssein Rahal, a Hizbullah spokes person told al-Sahrq al-Awsat newspaper that his group recruited 15-20 thousand activists to secure the protest and prevent protestors from committing violent acts.

Beirut rally: Death to Israel, US

(VIDEO) Masses spread out over two city center squares protesting against Siniora government; protesters shout death to Israel