5,000 mass in Baalbek for hunger rally
Lebanon, Politics, 7/7/1997

Despite fears of violence and public disorder, Sheikh Sobhi Toufeili's hunger revolution began peacefully in Baalbek on July 4 with the massive security deployment largely confined to the outskirts of the town. Up to 5,000 residents of the Bekaa and many from Beirut's southern suburbs converged on Baalbek in the early morning to lend support to Toufeili's call for the government to redress the socioeconomic plight of the region's population.

Hundreds of soldiers were brought in to stamp out any sign of public disorder, but the organizers' pleas for calm were heeded by the crowd. In the early hours of the morning, dozens of armored personnel carriers and troop transports rumbled into Baalbek, and by sunrise the roads leading to the central square were lined with international security officers.

But the center of Baalbek, where the demonstration was held, was notably free of security presence. Instead, officials of Toufeili's breakaway Hizbullah faction, who wore badges inscribed with the word "discipline," patrolled the streets ensuring that the more boisterous members of the throng did not get too carried away.

The only security personnel in the town center were confined to the stage in front of the municipality building where Toufeili addressed the crowd.

By 10 a.m., the small square was filled with banner- and flag-waving supporters. The women were segregated to one side of the square where a young girl chanting "Abu Ali, Abu Ali," in reference to Toufeili, held aloft a cartoon she had drawn, depicting prime minister Rafik Hariri as an octopus.

The blazing morning heat did not deter the crowd's enthusiasm, but rose water sprayed by people living in the buildings overlooking the square came as a welcome respite. Others made practical use of the printed speeches being handed out by folding them into sun hats.

The theme of the revolution did not prevent several snack bar owners from opening their doors and conducting a roaring business.

As the square filled to overflowing, the supporters took to climbing electricity pylons and roofs to obtain a better view.

Despite Toufeili's assertion that his hunger revolution transcends the confessional divide, the atmosphere, inevitably, was wholly Shiite with the crowd regularly chanting, "God pray for Mohammed and his family."

Black, red and yellow Hizbullah flags vied for space with banners reading, "We will resist negligence like we resist the occupation," and "The anger within us will not subside."

Behind the stage, the front of the municipality building was draped with a black banner on which was portrayed a coffin with the inscription, "This is the coffin of the ruthless Lebanese authorities."

Toufeili, flanked by sheikhs and bodyguards, worked his way to the front of the stage to be met with rapturous acclaim. He began his speech with a thunderous denunciation of the government.

"The government has stolen from you. It has sucked your blood. They threaten you because you are crying from hunger," he bellowed.

Toufeili added in his speech, "We thank officials who have stood by us and hope that those who have been too afraid to join us will do so soon." He also said that this event would spread throughout the country.

"We will soon be in Beirut. Before that, we will have meetings in different areas and talks to notables. We will contact everyone and form one united position in order to corner the rulers. We will crawl to Beirut even if we die in the process," he said.

The former security general of Hizbullah outlined his demands of the government, which include free water and electricity for the poor, free education, exempting the Bekaa from building permits until the region is properly zoned and an increase in the minimum wage.

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