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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Lebanese PM vows to defy protests | Lebanese PM vows to defy protests |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora has said his government will not be brought down by mass protests planned by pro-Syrian opposition groups. | Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora has said his government will not be brought down by mass protests planned by pro-Syrian opposition groups. |
| Speaking live on national television, Mr Siniora said: "We will not allow any coup against our democratic system." | Speaking live on national television, Mr Siniora said: "We will not allow any coup against our democratic system." |
| His remarks came ahead of a huge anti-government demonstration called by the Hezbollah movement and its allies. | |
| Tensions in Lebanon have soared after a leading anti-Syrian minister was killed and pro-Syrian MPs quit the cabinet. | Tensions in Lebanon have soared after a leading anti-Syrian minister was killed and pro-Syrian MPs quit the cabinet. |
| Hezbollah has accused the Mr Siniora of leading a government which has failed in its mission. | Hezbollah has accused the Mr Siniora of leading a government which has failed in its mission. |
| Growing crisis | Growing crisis |
| In his address, Mr Siniora appealed to Lebanese to stand firm in the face of threats against his government. | In his address, Mr Siniora appealed to Lebanese to stand firm in the face of threats against his government. |
| We are determined to stay the course Fouad SinioraLebanese prime minister "Fellow Lebanese, we have ahead of us decisive days for Lebanon and its future. | We are determined to stay the course Fouad SinioraLebanese prime minister "Fellow Lebanese, we have ahead of us decisive days for Lebanon and its future. |
| "We will not allow any coup against our democratic regime. We are determined to stay the course, as our government is legitimate and constitutional... and enjoys the confidence of parliament," he said. | "We will not allow any coup against our democratic regime. We are determined to stay the course, as our government is legitimate and constitutional... and enjoys the confidence of parliament," he said. |
| Lebanon's pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud has declared the government unconstitutional following the resignations earlier this month of five Shia ministers and one Christian ally. | Lebanon's pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud has declared the government unconstitutional following the resignations earlier this month of five Shia ministers and one Christian ally. |
| The ministers quit after Hezbollah's call for more cabinet seats for it and its allies was rejected. | The ministers quit after Hezbollah's call for more cabinet seats for it and its allies was rejected. |
| Hezbollah has been threatening to hold mass protests for weeks in support of its demand, which would effectively give it a veto over decisions. | Hezbollah has been threatening to hold mass protests for weeks in support of its demand, which would effectively give it a veto over decisions. |
| We appeal to all Lebanese... to rid us of an incapable government Sheikh Hassan NasrallahHezbollah leader Earlier on Thursday, Hezbollah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah also made a televised address, urging Lebanese to join protests. | We appeal to all Lebanese... to rid us of an incapable government Sheikh Hassan NasrallahHezbollah leader Earlier on Thursday, Hezbollah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah also made a televised address, urging Lebanese to join protests. |
| "We appeal to all Lebanese, from every region and political movement, to take part in a peaceful and civilised demonstration on Friday to rid us of an incapable government that has failed in its mission," he said. | "We appeal to all Lebanese, from every region and political movement, to take part in a peaceful and civilised demonstration on Friday to rid us of an incapable government that has failed in its mission," he said. |
| The pro-Syrian opposition has also condemned the cabinet's decision to approve a plan for an international tribunal to try suspects in the murder of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. | The pro-Syrian opposition has also condemned the cabinet's decision to approve a plan for an international tribunal to try suspects in the murder of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. |
| A UN inquiry has implicated Syrian officials in Mr Hariri's death in 2005, an allegation Syria strongly denies. | A UN inquiry has implicated Syrian officials in Mr Hariri's death in 2005, an allegation Syria strongly denies. |
| Lebanon's political crisis intensified last week with the assassination in Beirut of anti-Syrian Maronite Christian politician Pierre Gemayel. | Lebanon's political crisis intensified last week with the assassination in Beirut of anti-Syrian Maronite Christian politician Pierre Gemayel. |