Lebanon opposition cranks up pressure on government

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Thousands of people descended on central Beirut on Sunday ahead of a mass rally called by the Hezbollah-led opposition to escalate their drive to oust Lebanon's Western-backed government.

Opposition supporters have been camping out in central Beirut since December 1, paralyzing the heart of the capital and vowing not to budge until Prime Minister Fouad Siniora bows to their demands for a government of national unity.

"We want a clean government," banners outside Siniora's offices in downtown Beirut read.

More supporters poured into Beriut from around the country on Sunday, flags fluttering from bus windows and protesters flashing victory signs as they headed for the center.

"We will not tire, we will not surrender. Siniora must go," Shi'ite protester Hussein Jammal, 24, told Reuters. "If he remains stubborn, we are willing to do whatever the leadership of the opposition asks us to do."

Siniora and the Sunni-led ruling majority have refused to give in, accusing the Shi'ite Hezbollah of trying to stage a coup in the wake of their 34-day war against Israel this year.

Hezbollah says Siniora and his anti-Syrian allies had wanted Israel to crush the group.

Commentators have warned that the worsening stand-off could degenerate into wide-scale violence in a country that is still trying to rebuild after the 1975-90 civil war.

Fox News is showing live footage of large crowds in Beirut who are chanting "Death to America" and "Death to Israel."

Just saw it. Does not look good.
Or should I say it looks like a typical day in the Muslim neighborhood?

2 posted on 12/10/2006 4:43:09 PM PST by CaptainK (...please make it stop. Shake a can of pennies at it.)

Wow, I finally got one reply to this post, LOL.

Seems like stuff is heating back up over there. I remember Siniora crying like a baby (literally crying) when Israel was going after Hezbollah, now to see him on the end of Hezbollah's sword as well.

3 posted on 12/10/2006 5:00:44 PM PST by KJC1 (Right when you think you're really good is when you need to pay the most attention)

Muslims always need a phantom enemy to keep their minds off who their real enemy is.

Another Muslim.

4 posted on 12/10/2006 5:05:17 PM PST by CaptainK (...please make it stop. Shake a can of pennies at it.)

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