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Huge Beirut rally demands change Huge Beirut rally demands change
(about 2 hours later)
Hundreds of thousands of supporters of Hezbollah and its pro-Syrian allies have held a mass rally in Beirut to protest against Lebanon's government.Hundreds of thousands of supporters of Hezbollah and its pro-Syrian allies have held a mass rally in Beirut to protest against Lebanon's government.
Amid tight security, demonstrators chanted slogans denouncing Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.Amid tight security, demonstrators chanted slogans denouncing Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.
The opposition says it will keep up the pressure until the government resigns.The opposition says it will keep up the pressure until the government resigns.
The protests follow weeks of rising tension in Lebanon, with the killing of a leading anti-Syrian politician and resignations from the cabinet. The protest follows weeks of rising tension in Lebanon, with the killing of a leading anti-Syrian politician and resignations from the cabinet.
Mr Siniora has vowed to resist what he called an attempted coup. Protest camp
The huge crowd turned central Beirut into a sea of red and white Lebanese flags.
Hezbollah leaders had asked people not to wave the yellow flag of their movement, which features a fist holding a Kalashnikov rifle.
We appeal to all Lebanese, from every region and political movement... to rid us of an incapable government Sheikh Hassan NasrallahHezbollah leader Send us your comments Lebanon crisis explained The noisy but peaceful crowd filled Riad Solh Square, in front of Mr Siniora's office, says the BBC's Simon Wilson in Beirut.
Mr Siniora and some of his ministers were inside, just metres away, and will have heard the deafening music and speeches, our correspondent says.
The army and police mounted a large security operation, closing off the prime minister's office and other key buildings with barbed wire and armoured vehicles.
As night fell, the main protest broke up but many people were setting up a camp outside Mr Siniora's office, saying they would stay until the government resigned.
'Attempted coup'
During the afternoon, the huge crowd listened to Hezbollah songs and speeches.
Lebanese troops were placed at key government buildingsPolice estimated its size at 800,000 people, but Hezbollah claimed it was larger, the Associated Press news agency said.
Speaking from behind a bullet-proof glass screen, Christian opposition leader Michel Aoun told the cheering crowd that the current government was unconstitutional and should resign.
He said they had "made corruption a daily affair".
Mr Siniora's government has vowed to stand firm against what he has called an attempted coup.
"Lebanon's independence is threatened and its democratic system is in danger," he said on Thursday.
Under Lebanon's constitution, the death or resignation of another two ministers will automatically topple it.
'Syrian troops'
Hezbollah has been demanding a bigger share in the cabinet that would give it the power to veto government decisions.Hezbollah has been demanding a bigger share in the cabinet that would give it the power to veto government decisions.
We appeal to all Lebanese, from every region and political movement... to rid us of an incapable government Sheikh Hassan NasrallahHezbollah leader href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=4837&edition=1" class="">Send us your comments href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6173322.stm" class="">Lebanon crisis explained href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6200010.stm" class="">In pictures: Beirut rally Mr Siniora warned any attempt to topple his government would failThe government came to office last year in the first election held after the withdrawal of Syrian troops originally stationed in Lebanon during the civil war.
Speaking from behind a bullet-proof glass screen, Christian opposition leader Michel Aoun said the government was not one of national unity and so was not constitutional. Syria was forced to withdraw its military presence after massive street protests and international pressure, triggered by the February 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri.
"I call on the prime minister and his ministers to resign," he told the cheering crowd, many of them waving the flag of Lebanon. A UN investigation has implicated several Syrian officials in the killing, although Syria has denied any involvement.
Hezbollah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah has been emboldened by a conflict with Israeli forces in the summer that destroyed many parts of southern Lebanon but failed to shatter his movement's militia. The government in Beirut has also accused Damascus of ordering the assassination on 21 November of anti-Syrian cabinet minister Pierre Gemayel.
Hezbollah accuses the Lebanese government of failing to support it during the conflict.
However, the anti-Syrian parties that have the majority in government accuse Hezbollah of serving Syrian interests in their country.
'Incapable government'
Many supporters of Hezbollah and its allies, including the party headed by Mr Aoun, were brought to Beirut in buses for a demonstration that started at 1500 local time (1300 GMT).
Police estimated the crowd at 800,000 people, but Hezbollah said it was larger, said Associated Press news agency.
Lebanese troops are guarding key buildings
Armoured vehicles and hundreds of troops have taken up positions to defend government buildings in the city, despite assurances from Sheikh Nasrallah that the protests would be peaceful.
According to BBC Beirut correspondent Kim Ghattas, Beirut feels like a city in a state of emergency.
Mr Siniora's government has vowed to stand firm against the protests - but the death or resignation of another two ministers will automatically topple it.
Syrian troops
Anti-Syrian Druze leader Walid Jumblatt told the BBC that Hezbollah was trying to block the international tribunal investigating the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
Siniora warned any attempt to topple his government would fail
"The question is: What do they want? They only want to avoid the truth that is the international tribunal. This is the answer."
The government came to office last year in the first election held after the withdrawal of Syrian troops originally stationed in Lebanon during the civil war.
Syria was forced to withdraw its military presence after massive street protests and international pressure, triggered by the February 2005 assassination of Mr Hariri.
A UN investigation has implicated several Syrian officials in the killing - but Syria denies it is involved.
The government in Beirut also accused Damascus of ordering the assassination on 21 November of anti-Syrian cabinet minister Pierre Gemayel.
Friday's protest had originally been scheduled for last week but was delayed after the assassination.