Lebanese opposition massive demonstration in Beirut
Lebanon, Politics, 3/15/2005

Scores of thousands of Lebanese gathered at al-Shuhadaa ( martyrs) square in the downtown of Beirut on Monday at the invitation of the opposition parties on the occasion of one month following the assassination of the Lebanese former Prime minister Rafic Hariri. News reports estimated number of participants in the demonstration at 300,000.

The Lebanese opposition parties called on its followers to gather, near the Hariri tomb, from all Lebanese cities and forces to advocate mottos for the resignation of the Lebanese security departments and carry out an international investigation to know the sides which committed the assassination.

Political sources said that fears have been increased over that the protests and demonstrations will take a violent inclination despite the fact it is so far peaceful. This is, however, under deep political split over the Syrian role since the assassination of Hariri on February 14 in a booby trapped car explosion in Beirut.

The sources said that the Lebanese authorities imposed embargo on gatherings after Monday's protest and will ask the Lebanese army to prevent all demonstrations.

The Lebanese President Emil Lahoud and other officials called for halting the protests and urged the opposition to start dialogue so as to get out of the crisis. The Maronite bishop Nasrullah Sfeir, one of the opposition symbols, on Sunday demanded halting the acts of protests in streets saying that these " has negative impact on stability and the economy."

Monday's demonstration came one day after a massive demonstration in support of the government to the south of Lebanon. The pro government forces on Sunday with a gathering that numbered between 200,000 to 300,000 demonstrators.

Previous Stories:
  Kabalan-Hoss for inter-Lebanese dialogue   (3/14/2005)
  Lebanese foreign ministry deplores Straw's statements   (3/14/2005)
  Lebanese president underlines distinguished relations with Syria   (3/14/2005)

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