
1.5 Million Pro-Syria Demonstrators Gather In Beirut
3/8/2005 2:00:00 PM GMT
Following a nationwide call by the head of Hezbollah for a pro-Syria demonstration, 1.5 million Lebanese gathered in a central Beirut square Tuesday to counter weeks of massive rallies demanding Syrian forces leave Lebanon.
Resistance songs blared out of loudspeakers as organizers handed out Lebanese flags and directed the men and women to separate sections of the square. Hezbollah guards handled security, lining the perimeter of the square and taking position on rooftops, while trained dogs sniffed for bombs.
Large cranes hoisted two giant white and red flags bearing Lebanon's cedar tree. On one, the words "Thank you Syria" were written in English; on the other, "No to foreign interference."
Hezbollah has been mobilizing its followers from across the country for the protest which is also meant to denounce a UN resolution which in addition to its demand for Syrian withdrawal calls for the dismantling of groups - a point which Hezbollah sees as being aimed at its well-armed military wing.
Previously, Hezbollah warned that disorder could erupt in Lebanon if Syrian troops were to leave the country, where the 15-year-long civil war ended with a fragile balance between the country's diverse main religious groups.
Bookmarks