Posted on 03/14/2005 7:14:22 AM PST by MisterRepublican
An emboldened Lebanese opposition mobilized more than 800,000 people to demand an end to Syrian military domination of Lebanon, hurling a potent challenge to the Syrian-backed government here.
Beirut city official Mounib Nassereddine said the estimate of 800,000 did did not include demonstrators who were still arriving from all parts of the country ahead of the rally.
Thousands of Lebanese had made their way throughout the morning to the capital by car, bus and boat, heading for Martyrs Square and the grave of former prime minister Rafiq Hariri, assassinated exactly one month ago in a bomb blast.
Lebanese television aired spectacular pictures of a massive throng in the square, showing thousands of demonstrators waving the red, white and green Lebanese flag in bright sunshine against the deep blue of the Mediterranean in the background.
Nassereddine said Monday's gathering was "at least two and a half times" larger than last Tuesday's turnout called by pro-Syrian Lebanese parties, notably the Shiite Muslim movement Hezbollah. AFP correspondents estimated the crowd last week at 400,000.
"Hezbollah organized a giant demonstration last Tuesday to intimidate us," said Nada, 35, as she travelled to Beirut from Zahle in the east.
"Today we're taking up the challenge and invite it to join us because we represent the true majority of the country."
Added Anwar: "The Syrian people are our brothers. We have ties that go back centuries but the Syrian army and the mukhabarat (intellence service) are no longer welcome in Lebanon."
Huguette Yamine, a 57, said Monday's poltical demonstration was her first.
"I came with 10 family members. We walked here all the way from the other side of Beirut. We've had enough. I want my children to live in a free and democratic Lebanon."
(Excerpt) Read more at sg.news.yahoo.com ...
"We are coming to liberate our country. We are coming to demand the truth," Fatma Trad, a Sunni from the northern area of Dinniyeh, told AP.
The US must now come out even stronger in support of democracy in Lebanon and the ousting of the Syrians before the May elections. The momentum must be sustained.
And it goes without saying, of course, that the DUmmies are bummed about it.
I still haven't heard a peep on Fox News... and I have had them on all morning.
One or two...
They are covering local news, the Jackson Trial.
More people would rather see that....I suppose.
Missed your birthday; hope you had a good one!
I've had worse. No one died, and I didn't bury anyone.
And I did pull a lot of weeds...
What an incredibly beautiful sight. These are searchers of freedom, folks, showing amazing courage. Thank you, George W. Bush for giving hope to enslaved people everywhere!
Major goosebumps and tears. They need all our prayers.
OXEN, thanks for the ping to this wonderful news and spectacular photo. M2C -- this photo is just breathtaking. Looks like almost the entire population of Beirut was out protesting the Syrian occupation. The crowd stretched from the square all the way to the sea. WOW! -- doesn't begin to do their courage justice.
ha! What a great pic. :^)
First pic up is the obligatory "protesting babe" shot.
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