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Crowds mass for Lebanon memorials Crowds mass for Lebanon memorials
(about 1 hour later)
Thousands of people are gathering in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, to mark three years since the assassination of former PM Rafik Hariri.Thousands of people are gathering in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, to mark three years since the assassination of former PM Rafik Hariri.
Meanwhile the funeral of Hezbollah commander Imad Mughniyeh is to be held just a few miles away. Meanwhile the funeral of Hezbollah commander Imad Mughniyeh is to be held just a few miles away, hours later.
A huge security operation is under way in the city amid fears of clashes between pro- and anti-Syrian factions.A huge security operation is under way in the city amid fears of clashes between pro- and anti-Syrian factions.
Correspondents say the events come at a potentially explosive time, with no president and no working parliament.Correspondents say the events come at a potentially explosive time, with no president and no working parliament.
The country has been experiencing some of its worst internal violence since the assassination of Rafik Hariri plunged Lebanon into crisis three years ago.The country has been experiencing some of its worst internal violence since the assassination of Rafik Hariri plunged Lebanon into crisis three years ago.
His murder sparked massive domestic and international pressure, which forced Syria to withdraw its troops from neighbouring Lebanon after a presence of 29 years.His murder sparked massive domestic and international pressure, which forced Syria to withdraw its troops from neighbouring Lebanon after a presence of 29 years.
Notorious 'terror mastermind'Who are Hezbollah?Notorious 'terror mastermind'Who are Hezbollah?
Tens of thousands of Lebanese are expected to converge on Martyrs' Square in Beirut's city centre where Mr Hariri is buried. Thousands of Lebanese have been converging on Martyrs' Square in Beirut's city centre where Mr Hariri is buried.
They are standing in the pouring rain with flags and photos of Hariri and other anti-Syrian politicians killed in recent years in attacks.
"Open our parliament, free our government, elect a president now," reads one banner.
The BBC's Mike Sergeant in Beirut says in recent days the political rhetoric has been getting sharper on all sides - add into the mix heightened emotions following the killing of Imad Mughniyeh on Tuesday in a car bombing in the Syrian capital, Damascus.The BBC's Mike Sergeant in Beirut says in recent days the political rhetoric has been getting sharper on all sides - add into the mix heightened emotions following the killing of Imad Mughniyeh on Tuesday in a car bombing in the Syrian capital, Damascus.
His body is now back in Lebanon and a large crowd is also expected at his funeral in the Hezbollah stronghold in the southern suburbs of Beirut.His body is now back in Lebanon and a large crowd is also expected at his funeral in the Hezbollah stronghold in the southern suburbs of Beirut.
Hezbollah urged supporters to walk behind Mughniyeh's coffin, describing him as a "leader of whose leadership we should be proud".
"Let us make our voice heard by all the enemies and murderers that we will be victorious, no matter the sacrifices," a statement by the militant group read out on TV said.
'Murderer and terrorist''Murderer and terrorist'
The US welcomed the killing of the Hezbollah commander implicated in numerous bomb attacks and a wave of hostage-taking in Lebanon in the 1980s.The US welcomed the killing of the Hezbollah commander implicated in numerous bomb attacks and a wave of hostage-taking in Lebanon in the 1980s.
A US state department spokesman said the world would be a "better place" without Imad Mughniyeh, whom he called a "mass murderer and a terrorist".A US state department spokesman said the world would be a "better place" without Imad Mughniyeh, whom he called a "mass murderer and a terrorist".
IMAD MUGHNIYEH Born southern Lebanon 1962Indicted for 1985 hijack of TWA airlinerAccused of involvement in 1990s Buenos Aires bombingsOn FBI Most Wanted list since 2001IMAD MUGHNIYEH Born southern Lebanon 1962Indicted for 1985 hijack of TWA airlinerAccused of involvement in 1990s Buenos Aires bombingsOn FBI Most Wanted list since 2001
Hezbollah and Iran have blamed Israel for his killing, but it has denied any involvement.Hezbollah and Iran have blamed Israel for his killing, but it has denied any involvement.
The Syrian government also condemned the "cowardly terrorist act" and said investigations were still under way to find the perpetrators.The Syrian government also condemned the "cowardly terrorist act" and said investigations were still under way to find the perpetrators.
Mughniyeh, in his late 40s, had been variously described as special operations or intelligence chief of Hezbollah's secretive military wing, the Islamic Resistance.Mughniyeh, in his late 40s, had been variously described as special operations or intelligence chief of Hezbollah's secretive military wing, the Islamic Resistance.
He had been top of the US Most Wanted list until he was replaced by Osama Bin Laden and other al-Qaeda leaders following the 11 September 2001 attacks.He had been top of the US Most Wanted list until he was replaced by Osama Bin Laden and other al-Qaeda leaders following the 11 September 2001 attacks.
Analysts say his death will be a significant blow to Hezbollah, which battled Israel in the 2006 Lebanon war, with help from its Iranian and Syrian backers.Analysts say his death will be a significant blow to Hezbollah, which battled Israel in the 2006 Lebanon war, with help from its Iranian and Syrian backers.
Hezbollah was founded in 1982 by a group of Shia Muslim clerics after the Israeli invasion of Lebanon. It has emerged in recent years as a major political and military force in Lebanon, after military successes against Israel.Hezbollah was founded in 1982 by a group of Shia Muslim clerics after the Israeli invasion of Lebanon. It has emerged in recent years as a major political and military force in Lebanon, after military successes against Israel.