This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6359669.stm
The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Tension high for Hariri protest | Tension high for Hariri protest |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| Tension is high in Lebanon ahead of a commemorative rally to mark the second anniversary of the killing of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. | Tension is high in Lebanon ahead of a commemorative rally to mark the second anniversary of the killing of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. |
| Pro-government supporters, who accuse Syria of involvement in the car bomb that killed Mr Hariri, plan to gather at his grave in central Beirut. | Pro-government supporters, who accuse Syria of involvement in the car bomb that killed Mr Hariri, plan to gather at his grave in central Beirut. |
| The opposition, including Hezbollah supporters, are to stage more protests aimed at bringing down the government. | The opposition, including Hezbollah supporters, are to stage more protests aimed at bringing down the government. |
| On Tuesday, two bombs killed three people on buses travelling near Beirut. | On Tuesday, two bombs killed three people on buses travelling near Beirut. |
| The government majority coalition behind Prime Minister Fouad Siniora has already accused Syria of being behind the bus attacks, holding it "fully responsible for this despicable crime". | The government majority coalition behind Prime Minister Fouad Siniora has already accused Syria of being behind the bus attacks, holding it "fully responsible for this despicable crime". |
| Every time the Lebanese seem close to an agreement, enemies of Lebanon commit another crime Emile LahoudLebanese president Pictures: Lebanon bombings | Every time the Lebanese seem close to an agreement, enemies of Lebanon commit another crime Emile LahoudLebanese president Pictures: Lebanon bombings |
| Supporters said the attacks were designed to scare people away from Wednesday's commemoration rally. Organisers vowed it would go ahead. | Supporters said the attacks were designed to scare people away from Wednesday's commemoration rally. Organisers vowed it would go ahead. |
| Mr Siniora said: "We will hunt down the criminals and confront them." | Mr Siniora said: "We will hunt down the criminals and confront them." |
| President Emile Lahoud, a staunch ally of Syria, also condemned the attacks, saying they undermined attempts at compromise. | President Emile Lahoud, a staunch ally of Syria, also condemned the attacks, saying they undermined attempts at compromise. |
| "Every time the Lebanese seem close to an agreement, enemies of Lebanon commit another crime," he said. | "Every time the Lebanese seem close to an agreement, enemies of Lebanon commit another crime," he said. |
| UN accord | UN accord |
| Political and sectarian tensions have been running high in Lebanon, erupting in clashes in January between supporters and opponents of the government. | Political and sectarian tensions have been running high in Lebanon, erupting in clashes in January between supporters and opponents of the government. |
| The crisis stems back to November when six pro-Syrian ministers resigned primarily over the endorsement by the Cabinet of a UN tribunal to try suspects in the Hariri bombing. | The crisis stems back to November when six pro-Syrian ministers resigned primarily over the endorsement by the Cabinet of a UN tribunal to try suspects in the Hariri bombing. |
| Syria denied any involvement in the death of Mr Hariri but outrage at the time forced Damascus to end its 29-year military presence in Lebanon. | Syria denied any involvement in the death of Mr Hariri but outrage at the time forced Damascus to end its 29-year military presence in Lebanon. |
| A UN probe has implicated top Syrian officials and their Lebanese allies in the assassination. | |
| Last week the UN signed an accord that would create an international tribunal to try suspects in the killing. | Last week the UN signed an accord that would create an international tribunal to try suspects in the killing. |
| However, that must be ratified in the deeply divided Lebanese parliament. | However, that must be ratified in the deeply divided Lebanese parliament. |
| Syrian ally Hezbollah wants to capitalise on what it regards as its victory against Israel in last summer's conflict and take part in a government in which it would hold the power of veto. | Syrian ally Hezbollah wants to capitalise on what it regards as its victory against Israel in last summer's conflict and take part in a government in which it would hold the power of veto. |
| Tuesday's bus bombings occurred near Bikfaya, a mainly Christian town in the hills north of Beirut. | Tuesday's bus bombings occurred near Bikfaya, a mainly Christian town in the hills north of Beirut. |
| Officials said the first bus exploded, causing damage and casualties, and as people rushed to the scene, another explosion ripped through the second bus as it drove up behind it. | Officials said the first bus exploded, causing damage and casualties, and as people rushed to the scene, another explosion ripped through the second bus as it drove up behind it. |