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 1 Version 2
Tension high for Hariri protest Tension high for Hariri protest
(about 3 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. Thousands of pro-government supporters, who accuse Syria of involvement in Mr Hariri's death, are converging on Martyrs' Square in central Beirut.
The opposition, including Hezbollah supporters, are to stage more protests aimed at bringing down the government. A fence has been built to separate them from opposition activists, and troops backed by tanks are out in force.
On Tuesday, two bombs killed three people on buses travelling near Beirut. The rally comes a day after bombings near Beirut killed three people.
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". Eighteen others were injured in the twin bus blasts near Bikfaya, a mainly Christian town in the hills north of Beirut.
Every time the Lebanese seem close to an agreement, enemies of Lebanon commit another crime Emile LahoudLebanese president Pictures: Lebanon bombingsEvery 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. 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".
Mr Siniora said: "We will hunt down the criminals and confront them." Supporters said the blasts were designed to scare people away from Wednesday's commemoration rally. Organisers vowed it would go ahead.
UN accord
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 Tuesday's bus blasts claimed three lives near BikfayaPolitical 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 car bomb attack which killed 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.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.
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.