This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/23/world/middleeast/clashes-break-out-overnight-in-lebanon.html
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Clashes Break Out Overnight in Lebanon | Clashes Break Out Overnight in Lebanon |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| BEIRUT, Lebanon — Renewed fears about Lebanon’s stability emerged on Monday following the assassination last week of Brig. Gen. Wissam al-Hassan, the head of the country’s internal security. | |
| The Lebanese Army command urged political leaders to be cautious in their public statements so as not to inflame passions further, Reuters reported. | |
| “We will take decisive measures, especially in areas with rising religious and sectarian tensions, to prevent Lebanon being transformed again into a place for regional settling of scores, and to prevent the assassination of the martyr Wissam al-Hassan being used to assassinate a whole country,” the army statement said. | |
| Gen. Hisham Jabber, a retired military spokesman, said the army, worried about the potential for destabilization, issued the statement to warn the political class not to try to exploit the situation. | |
| “The army was very clearly telling the politicians that it is enough, they cannot make political gains at the expense of the security of this country,” General Jabber said in an interview. | |
| The army appeared to be showing more resolve than in the past in intervening from to nip any escalation in the bud. Emotional attacks on the Hezbollah-dominated government during the funeral orations on Sunday inspired mourners to try to storm the offices of the prime minister. Opposition leaders later appealed for calm and the demonstrators largely dispersed. | |
| Although the civil war in Syria next door deepened tensions between the Sunni and Shiite communities in Lebanon, it has largely avoided any explosion over the last 19 months that might reignite the civil war that wrecked this country from 1975 to 1990. | |
| The ambassadors of Britain, the United States, Russia, China and France and the United Nations special coordinator for Lebanon met with President Michel Suleiman on Monday to express support for the efforts to keep the civil war in Syria from spilling into Lebanon. | |
| "The permanent members at the United Nations call upon all the parties in Lebanon to preserve stability," Derek Plumbly, the U.N. representative, told reporters in Arabic while surrounded by the five ambassadors, The Associated Press reported. "We strongly condemn any attempt to shake Lebanon’s stability." | |
| Lebanon’s jittery composure throughout the long Syrian uprising wobbled but held on Sunday, as political and religious leaders quelled street protests that erupted after the emotional funeral of the security chief whose killing in a car bombing on Friday was widely blamed on the Syrian government. | |
| But later, news reports said, scattered protests and clashes continued overnight into Monday with spurts of unrest in Beirut and locations to the north and south of the capital. | But later, news reports said, scattered protests and clashes continued overnight into Monday with spurts of unrest in Beirut and locations to the north and south of the capital. |
| After the funeral, protesters attempted to storm the Grand Serail, the Ottoman-era garrison in Beirut that houses the offices of Prime Minister Najib Mikati, after his government was denounced at the funeral for being a puppet of Bashar al-Assad’s Syrian administration. | After the funeral, protesters attempted to storm the Grand Serail, the Ottoman-era garrison in Beirut that houses the offices of Prime Minister Najib Mikati, after his government was denounced at the funeral for being a puppet of Bashar al-Assad’s Syrian administration. |
| Security forces surrounding the graceful hilltop complex sporadically lobbed tear-gas canisters and fired their guns into the air, breaking up the demonstration. Protest chants included: “Bashar al-Assad is worth as much as a shoe!” and “Hezbollah is a terrorist group!” | Security forces surrounding the graceful hilltop complex sporadically lobbed tear-gas canisters and fired their guns into the air, breaking up the demonstration. Protest chants included: “Bashar al-Assad is worth as much as a shoe!” and “Hezbollah is a terrorist group!” |
| The sudden squall exposed the undercurrent of tension buzzing through Lebanon for much of the 19 months since the uprising began against Mr. Assad’s government. The eruption on Sunday reflected a simmering anger over the killing of Sunni civilians in Syria by allies of Mr. Assad’s Alawite sect. | The sudden squall exposed the undercurrent of tension buzzing through Lebanon for much of the 19 months since the uprising began against Mr. Assad’s government. The eruption on Sunday reflected a simmering anger over the killing of Sunni civilians in Syria by allies of Mr. Assad’s Alawite sect. |
| Despite such outbursts and the occasional fights between supporters and opponents here, Lebanon has repeatedly inched back from the brink; leaders from all factions seem conscious that the kindling could easily fuel a conflagration. | Despite such outbursts and the occasional fights between supporters and opponents here, Lebanon has repeatedly inched back from the brink; leaders from all factions seem conscious that the kindling could easily fuel a conflagration. |
| Fouad Siniora, a former prime minister and a prominent Sunni Muslim politician, attacked the government during an angry funeral oration, saying, “The Lebanese people won’t accept, after today, the continuation of the government of assassination.” | Fouad Siniora, a former prime minister and a prominent Sunni Muslim politician, attacked the government during an angry funeral oration, saying, “The Lebanese people won’t accept, after today, the continuation of the government of assassination.” |
| Within hours, he was back on the airwaves, calling for calm and condemning street protests as no way to try to replace a government. Numerous others made similar calls, including Sheik Muhammad Qabbani, the grand mufti of the Sunni Muslims, who said that “the street is not the way to solve issues.” | Within hours, he was back on the airwaves, calling for calm and condemning street protests as no way to try to replace a government. Numerous others made similar calls, including Sheik Muhammad Qabbani, the grand mufti of the Sunni Muslims, who said that “the street is not the way to solve issues.” |
| The main confrontation around the Grand Serail was over in less than two hours. By nightfall, only about 30 protesters were left, many of them young Syrians, vowing to camp there until the government fell. The security forces blocked off all entrances to the Serail with coils of barbed wire about two yards high. | The main confrontation around the Grand Serail was over in less than two hours. By nightfall, only about 30 protesters were left, many of them young Syrians, vowing to camp there until the government fell. The security forces blocked off all entrances to the Serail with coils of barbed wire about two yards high. |
| Only minor injuries were reported from the scuffles in Beirut, but there were scattered reports of more violent episodes and Sunni-Shiite tensions elsewhere in Lebanon, including gun battles in the northern city of Tripoli, which has a standing fault line between two adjacent neighborhoods, one primarily Sunni Muslim and the other Alawite, the same main factions arrayed against each other in Syria. | Only minor injuries were reported from the scuffles in Beirut, but there were scattered reports of more violent episodes and Sunni-Shiite tensions elsewhere in Lebanon, including gun battles in the northern city of Tripoli, which has a standing fault line between two adjacent neighborhoods, one primarily Sunni Muslim and the other Alawite, the same main factions arrayed against each other in Syria. |
| Overnight, The Associated Press said, Sunni and Shiite gunmen clashed in two Beirut neighborhoods and officials reported heavy clashes late Sunday and early Monday in Tripoli and towns between Beirut and the southern city of Sidon. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media, said a man was killed in shooting in the Wadi Zayneh area north of Sidon and another person died in the Tripoli clashes. The officials said the clashes wounded at least six people in Beirut and 10 in Tripoli, The A.P. said. | Overnight, The Associated Press said, Sunni and Shiite gunmen clashed in two Beirut neighborhoods and officials reported heavy clashes late Sunday and early Monday in Tripoli and towns between Beirut and the southern city of Sidon. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media, said a man was killed in shooting in the Wadi Zayneh area north of Sidon and another person died in the Tripoli clashes. The officials said the clashes wounded at least six people in Beirut and 10 in Tripoli, The A.P. said. |
| In Damascus, Lakhdar Brahimi, the United Nations and Arab League peace envoy in Syria, met with Mr. Assad to try to arrange a short cease-fire for Id al-Adha, the feast of sacrifice that Muslims around the world will celebrate at the end of this week. | In Damascus, Lakhdar Brahimi, the United Nations and Arab League peace envoy in Syria, met with Mr. Assad to try to arrange a short cease-fire for Id al-Adha, the feast of sacrifice that Muslims around the world will celebrate at the end of this week. |
| But the difficulty in stopping the violence was accented by a car bomb that went off in the square of Bab Tuma, the gateway to a storied neighborhood in the old city. The Syrian state-run news agency, SANA, put the toll at 13 killed and 29 injured, and published photos of a string of blackened vehicles that it blamed on a “terrorist” attack. | But the difficulty in stopping the violence was accented by a car bomb that went off in the square of Bab Tuma, the gateway to a storied neighborhood in the old city. The Syrian state-run news agency, SANA, put the toll at 13 killed and 29 injured, and published photos of a string of blackened vehicles that it blamed on a “terrorist” attack. |
| A senior Arab official, moreover, said on Monday the hope for a cease-fire was “weak.” | A senior Arab official, moreover, said on Monday the hope for a cease-fire was “weak.” |
| Ahmed Ben Hilli, deputy secretary-general of the Arab League, told Reuters that the authorities in Damascus “do not show any signs of a real desire to implement this cease-fire.” With Id al-Adha only days away, he said, “we hope the situation changes and the government and opposition respond even a little bit to this door for negotiations.” | Ahmed Ben Hilli, deputy secretary-general of the Arab League, told Reuters that the authorities in Damascus “do not show any signs of a real desire to implement this cease-fire.” With Id al-Adha only days away, he said, “we hope the situation changes and the government and opposition respond even a little bit to this door for negotiations.” |
| Since the Syrian uprising began in March 2011, the Lebanese government has pursued a policy of “disassociation,” trying to maintain at least the appearance of neutrality as its neighbor’s crisis has descended into civil war. | Since the Syrian uprising began in March 2011, the Lebanese government has pursued a policy of “disassociation,” trying to maintain at least the appearance of neutrality as its neighbor’s crisis has descended into civil war. |
| Broadly speaking, the cabinet of Mr. Mikati, also a prominent Sunni Muslim, and his Hezbollah allies remain close to Mr. Assad’s government. The main opposition, a combination of Sunni Muslims, Druse and some Christians, has been outspoken in condemning Syria. Both Hezbollah, a militant Shiite organization, and their staunchest foes, Sunni Muslim jihadists, have dispatched fighters to opposite sides in Syria. | Broadly speaking, the cabinet of Mr. Mikati, also a prominent Sunni Muslim, and his Hezbollah allies remain close to Mr. Assad’s government. The main opposition, a combination of Sunni Muslims, Druse and some Christians, has been outspoken in condemning Syria. Both Hezbollah, a militant Shiite organization, and their staunchest foes, Sunni Muslim jihadists, have dispatched fighters to opposite sides in Syria. |
| Lebanese politicians of all stripes have long gotten in and out of bed with Syria. Damascus controlled Lebanon as a vassal state for some 30 years before its military and secret police were forced to withdraw in the wake of the huge protests that followed the February 2005 assassination of Rafik Hariri, Lebanon’s leading politician. Afterward, a string of car bomb assassinations like that of the security chief on Friday silenced prominent critics of Syria. | Lebanese politicians of all stripes have long gotten in and out of bed with Syria. Damascus controlled Lebanon as a vassal state for some 30 years before its military and secret police were forced to withdraw in the wake of the huge protests that followed the February 2005 assassination of Rafik Hariri, Lebanon’s leading politician. Afterward, a string of car bomb assassinations like that of the security chief on Friday silenced prominent critics of Syria. |
| No politician of Mr. Hariri’s stature or charisma has emerged in the opposition — another reason for the anemic anti-Syria protest movement. | No politician of Mr. Hariri’s stature or charisma has emerged in the opposition — another reason for the anemic anti-Syria protest movement. |
| Cynical Lebanese also note that some politicians have sunk large investments into real estate ventures. A construction boom, perhaps the biggest since the civil war ended in 1990, is reshaping downtown Beirut into a warren of expensive apartment towers and local branches of Tiffany and Gucci, among many luxury brands. The thinking goes that the politicians do not want all the glitter to go up in flames lest they lose their investments. | Cynical Lebanese also note that some politicians have sunk large investments into real estate ventures. A construction boom, perhaps the biggest since the civil war ended in 1990, is reshaping downtown Beirut into a warren of expensive apartment towers and local branches of Tiffany and Gucci, among many luxury brands. The thinking goes that the politicians do not want all the glitter to go up in flames lest they lose their investments. |
| Although the rich Persian Gulf tourists those flashy shops are meant to attract are scarce amid the recent tension, shops and cafes not far from the protests seemed to be functioning normally on Sunday. | Although the rich Persian Gulf tourists those flashy shops are meant to attract are scarce amid the recent tension, shops and cafes not far from the protests seemed to be functioning normally on Sunday. |
| But thousands of protesters turned up for the funeral of General Hassan, the Sunni Muslim head of internal security and an outspoken critic of Syria, who died with seven others in a car bomb explosion on Friday. Of the eight killed, only four have been identified. | |
| It is widely suspected that General Hassan’s death was in retaliation for his role in August in the arrest of Michel Samaha, a key Syrian ally here, on charges of plotting sectarian bombings. | It is widely suspected that General Hassan’s death was in retaliation for his role in August in the arrest of Michel Samaha, a key Syrian ally here, on charges of plotting sectarian bombings. |
| After General Hassan’s coffin was borne through the streets, he was buried near the tomb of Mr. Hariri just off Martyrs’ Square in Beirut. | After General Hassan’s coffin was borne through the streets, he was buried near the tomb of Mr. Hariri just off Martyrs’ Square in Beirut. |
| “After this assassination, I feel like my whole country is at risk,” said Michel Matta, an engineer who brought his wife and children down off Mount Lebanon for the funeral. “Every person who calls for Lebanon’s independence ends up in the grave.” | “After this assassination, I feel like my whole country is at risk,” said Michel Matta, an engineer who brought his wife and children down off Mount Lebanon for the funeral. “Every person who calls for Lebanon’s independence ends up in the grave.” |
Hwaida Saad, Hania Mourtada and Josh Wood contributed reporting from Beirut, Lebanon, and Alan Cowell from London. | Hwaida Saad, Hania Mourtada and Josh Wood contributed reporting from Beirut, Lebanon, and Alan Cowell from London. |