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Protesters set up camp in Beirut Protesters set up camp in Beirut
(about 1 hour later)
Thousand of supporters of Hezbollah and its pro-Syrian allies in Lebanon have spent the night camped out in Beirut, to protest against the government. A major demonstration is continuing in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, aimed at forcing the government to resign.
Demonstrators slept in tents outside the office of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, who they say is hostile to Syria and must resign. Hundreds of supporters of Hezbollah and its pro-Syrian allies have pitched camp in central Beirut near the offices of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.
Hezbollah supporters staged a mass rally in Beirut on Friday. The protesters accuse Mr Siniora of being too pro-western and anti-Syrian.
The British Foreign Secretary, Margaret Beckett, is planning to visit Mr Siniora during the day to express her solidarity with his government.
Lebanon's government has been weakened by resignations and the assassination of a leading anti-Syrian politician.Lebanon's government has been weakened by resignations and the assassination of a leading anti-Syrian politician.
The opposition says it will keep up the pressure until the government steps down. Loudspeakers
Digging-in Friday saw a mass protest in central Beirut, led by Hezbollah supporters. Demonstrators pitched tents on streets leading to the government's headquarters.
Protesters pitched tents in central Beirut, on streets leading to the government's headquarters.
We have more surprises other than the protest today Ali Ammar, Hezbollah MPWe have more surprises other than the protest today Ali Ammar, Hezbollah MP
The BBC's Kim Ghattas in Beirut says there is no sign that either side is giving up. The BBC's Jon Leyne says it was the first of what could be many long nights as the demonstrators have vowed to stay until Mr Siniora's government resigns.
The demonstrators brought their water pipes, small radios and even musical instruments for entertainment. It is all very similar to the protests that brought Mr Siniora to power 18 months ago and curtailed Syrian influence in Lebanon, our correspondent says.
The demonstrators brought water pipes, small radios and even musical instruments for entertainment.
Amid tight security, loudspeakers blared slogans denouncing Mr Siniora.Amid tight security, loudspeakers blared slogans denouncing Mr Siniora.
Soldiers cordoned off the office complex with barbed wire and armoured vehicles. 'Intimidation'
Demonstrators had earlier temporarily blocked all roads leading to the prime minister's office, although the blockade eased after a flurry of late-night diplomacy. Soldiers cordoned off the office complex with barbed wire and armoured vehicles. Mr Siniora has been joined by several of his ministers.
Surprise moves Mr Siniora warned any attempt to topple his government would fail
The opposition has now promised to carry out more surprise moves to bring down the cabinet. Mr Siniora has said he will not be forced from office by mass protests and has vowed to stand firm against what he has called an attempted coup.
We appeal to all Lebanese, from every region and political movement... to rid us of an incapable government Sheikh Hassan NasrallahHezbollah leader Send us your comments Lebanon crisis explained
A Hezbollah member of parliament Ali Ammar said: "We won't leave these squares until this authority complies with the will of the majority of the people - most of whom want to escape this crisis and form a unity government."
Mr Siniora has said he will not be forced from office by mass protests.
His government has vowed to stand firm against what he has called an attempted coup.
"Lebanon's independence is threatened and its democratic system is in danger," he said on Thursday."Lebanon's independence is threatened and its democratic system is in danger," he said on Thursday.
The US denounced what it described as "threats of intimidation violence" in Lebanon. The US has denounced what it described as "threats of intimidation violence" in Lebanon.
Demonstrators waved red and white Lebanese flagsA state department spokesman, Tom Casey, accused Syria and Iran of instigating the protests which he said were aimed at toppling the democratically elected government. A State Department spokesman, Tom Casey, accused Syria and Iran of instigating the protests which he said were aimed at toppling the democratically-elected government.
US Ambassador to the UN John Bolton called the Hezbollah demonstration "part of the Iran-Syria inspired coup".US Ambassador to the UN John Bolton called the Hezbollah demonstration "part of the Iran-Syria inspired coup".
Under Lebanon's constitution, the death or resignation of another two ministers will automatically topple it.Under Lebanon's constitution, the death or resignation of another two ministers will automatically topple it.
During Friday afternoon, the huge crowd listened to Hezbollah songs and speeches. Surprise moves
Police estimated its size at 800,000 people, but Hezbollah claimed it was larger. The opposition has promised to carry out more surprise moves to bring down the cabinet.
Speaking from behind a bullet-proof glass screen, Christian opposition leader Michel Aoun told cheering supporters that the government was unconstitutional and should resign. We appeal to all Lebanese, from every region and political movement... to rid us of an incapable government Sheikh Hassan NasrallahHezbollah leader href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=4837&edition=1" class="">Send us your comments href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6173322.stm" class="">Lebanon crisis explained
He said they had "made corruption a daily affair". A Hezbollah member of parliament Ali Ammar said: "We won't leave these squares until this authority complies with the will of the majority of the people - most of whom want to escape this crisis and form a unity government."
'Syrian troops'
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 Siniora warned any attempt to topple his government would failThe 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 February 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.Syria was forced to withdraw its military presence after massive street protests and international pressure, triggered by the February 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
A UN investigation has implicated several Syrian officials in the killing, although Syria has denied any involvement.A UN investigation has implicated several Syrian officials in the killing, although Syria has denied any involvement.
The government in Beirut has also accused Damascus of ordering the assassination on 21 November of anti-Syrian cabinet minister Pierre Gemayel.The government in Beirut has also accused Damascus of ordering the assassination on 21 November of anti-Syrian cabinet minister Pierre Gemayel.