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Tension high for Hariri protest Tension high for Hariri protest
(30 minutes later)
Tension is high in Lebanon as crowds gather for a rally to commemorate the second anniversary of the killing of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.Tension is high in Lebanon as crowds gather for a rally to commemorate the second anniversary of the killing of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
Thousands of pro-government supporters, who accuse Syria of involvement in Mr Hariri's death, are converging on Martyrs' Square 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.
A fence has been built to separate them from opposition activists, and troops backed by tanks are out in force.A fence has been built to separate them from opposition activists, and troops backed by tanks are out in force.
The rally comes a day after bombings near Beirut killed three people.The rally comes a day after bombings near Beirut killed three people.
Eighteen others were injured in the twin bus blasts near Bikfaya, a mainly Christian town in the hills north of Beirut.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 bombings
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
Supporters said the blasts were designed to scare people away from Wednesday's commemoration rally. Organisers vowed it would go ahead.Supporters said the blasts were designed to scare people away from Wednesday's commemoration rally. Organisers vowed it would go ahead.
UN accord One woman attending the rally told the BBC why she had decided to attend: "We're here because of the martyr prime minister, because we love him and want to follow his path," she said.
President Emile Lahoud, a staunch ally of Syria, also condemned the attacks, saying they undermined attempts at compromise. "We want culture and education not arms and streets [barricaded with] tyres, for sure. We want to learn and reach our goals and lead a normal life like everyone else.
Avoiding violence
President Emile Lahoud, a staunch ally of Syria, also condemned the bomb 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.
A UN inquiry into Hariri's death is continuing two years onPolitical and sectarian tensions have been running high in Lebanon, erupting in clashes in January between supporters and opponents of the government. A UN inquiry into Hariri's death is continuing two years onThe BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut says that the situation is very volatile following Tuesday's bombing, but that thousands of police are on hand in Martyrs' Square and the surrounding streets to ensure that this rally does not descend into violence.
A fence of razor wire has been erected to stop pro-government supporters from mingling with the Hezbollah-backed activists who have been besieging the prime minister's office since December.
Our correspondent walked amongst the tents of the Hezbollah protesters this morning and said that it seemed people there were also keen to avoid any kind of confrontation.
UN accord
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 car bomb attack which killed 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. Tuesday's bus blasts claimed three lives near BikfayaA 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.
Are you in Beirut? Are you affected by the rally? Or taking part? Send us your experiences using the form below.Are you in Beirut? Are you affected by the rally? Or taking part? Send us your experiences using the form below.
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