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| Huge opposition rally in Beirut | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Tens of thousands of supporters of the Hezbollah movement and its pro-Syrian allies have gathered in Beirut to protest against Lebanon's government. | |
| Security is tight amid fears that Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah's call to force out an "incapable government" may lead to violence. | |
| Prime Minister Fouad Siniora has vowed to resist the attempted "coup". | Prime Minister Fouad Siniora has vowed to resist the attempted "coup". |
| His government has been weakened by assassination and by the resignation of pro-Syrian cabinet ministers. | His government has been weakened by assassination and by the resignation of pro-Syrian cabinet ministers. |
| Hezbollah has been demanding a bigger share in the cabinet that would give it the power to veto government decisions. | Hezbollah has been demanding a bigger share in the cabinet that would give it the power to veto government decisions. |
| Mr Nasrallah has been emboldened by a conflict with Israeli forces in the summer that destroyed many parts of southern Lebanon but failed to shatter his movement's militia. | |
| We appeal to all Lebanese, from every region and political movement... to rid us of an incapable government Hassan Nasrallah | We appeal to all Lebanese, from every region and political movement... to rid us of an incapable government Hassan Nasrallah |
| Hezbollah accuses the government of failing to support it during the conflict. | Hezbollah accuses the government of failing to support it during the conflict. |
| However, the anti-Syrian parties that have the majority in government accuse Hezbollah of serving Syrian interests in their country. | However, the anti-Syrian parties that have the majority in government accuse Hezbollah of serving Syrian interests in their country. |
| 'Incapable government' | 'Incapable government' |
| Many supporters of Hezbollah and its allies, including the party headed by Christian leader Michel Aoun, were brought to Beirut in buses for a demonstration that started at 1500 local time (1300 GMT). | |
| Siniora warned any attempt to topple his government will fail | Siniora warned any attempt to topple his government will fail |
| At a square in the centre of the city, they chanted slogans against the government and waved Lebanese flags. | |
| Armoured vehicles and hundreds of troops have taken up positions to defend government buildings in the city, despite assurances from Mr Nasrallah that the protests would be peaceful. | Armoured vehicles and hundreds of troops have taken up positions to defend government buildings in the city, despite assurances from Mr Nasrallah that the protests would be peaceful. |
| According to the BBC's Kim Ghattas, Beirut feels like a city in a state of emergency. | According to the BBC's Kim Ghattas, Beirut feels like a city in a state of emergency. |
| Hezbollah has urged its supporters to keep up the protest until its demands are met. | Hezbollah has urged its supporters to keep up the protest until its demands are met. |
| Mr Siniora's government "has proven it is incompetent and has failed to fulfil its promises and achieve anything significant," Mr Nasrallah has said. | Mr Siniora's government "has proven it is incompetent and has failed to fulfil its promises and achieve anything significant," Mr Nasrallah has 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," 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," he said. |
| Street protests | Street protests |
| Mr Siniora's government has vowed to stand firm against the protests - but the death or resignation of another two ministers will automatically topple it. | Mr Siniora's government has vowed to stand firm against the protests - but the death or resignation of another two ministers will automatically topple it. |
| "Lebanon's independence is threatened and its democratic system is in danger," Mr Siniora said. | "Lebanon's independence is threatened and its democratic system is in danger," Mr Siniora said. |
| "We will not allow the coup against the democratic system, its rules and institutions," he said. | "We will not allow the coup against the democratic system, its rules and institutions," he said. |
| The government came to office last year in the first election held after the withdrawal of Syrian troops originally stationed in Lebanon during the civil war. | The government came to office last year in the first election held after the withdrawal of Syrian troops originally stationed in Lebanon during the civil war. |
| Syria was forced to withdraw its military presence after massive street protests and international pressure, triggered by the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. | Syria was forced to withdraw its military presence after massive street protests and international pressure, triggered by the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. |
| A UN investigation has incriminated several Syrian officials in the killing - but Syria denies it is involved. | A UN investigation has incriminated several Syrian officials in the killing - but Syria denies it is involved. |
| The government in Beirut also accused Damascus of ordering the assassination on 21 November of anti-Syrian cabinet minister, Pierre Gemayel. | The government in Beirut also accused Damascus of ordering the assassination on 21 November of anti-Syrian cabinet minister, Pierre Gemayel. |
| Friday's protest had originally been scheduled for last week but was delayed after the assassination. | Friday's protest had originally been scheduled for last week but was delayed after the assassination. |
| . | . |