Posted on 02/14/2008 4:44:22 AM PST by rightwingintelligentsia
Thousands of people from rival camps are taking part in key memorials amid heightened tension in Beirut. Anti-Syrian groups have been marking three years since the assassination of former PM Rafik Hariri.
Meanwhile supporters of Hezbollah are attending the funeral of a leader of the militant group, Imad Mughniyeh, just a few miles away.
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.
About 8,000 army and internal security force troops have been deployed, with the aim of keeping the two factions apart.
The BBC's Mike Sergeant in Beirut says the two events will separate them naturally, but there are fears that people departing from mixed neighbourhoods could clash with rival groups on the streets.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
Man, what a Target-Rich environment!
Bring on the B52s with their CBUs!
Hold your fire. The photo above is of the anti-Syrian, pro-democracy (more or less) Hariri supporters.
Somebody better blow up Nasrallah if he shows up at that funeral. Finish the job already.
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