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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Hezbollah head at 'victory' rally | Hezbollah head at 'victory' rally |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Hundreds of thousands of people have massed in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, to celebrate what Hezbollah militants call their victory over Israel. | Hundreds of thousands of people have massed in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, to celebrate what Hezbollah militants call their victory over Israel. |
| The group's leader, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, appeared at the rally - his first public appearance since July. | The group's leader, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, appeared at the rally - his first public appearance since July. |
| People packed into the city's southern suburbs, which were heavily bombed during the conflict, waving yellow and green flags and chanting slogans. | People packed into the city's southern suburbs, which were heavily bombed during the conflict, waving yellow and green flags and chanting slogans. |
| Hezbollah has called the outcome of the five-week conflict a "divine victory". | Hezbollah has called the outcome of the five-week conflict a "divine victory". |
| Sheikh Nasrallah thanked the crowd for making the journey to the rally. | Sheikh Nasrallah thanked the crowd for making the journey to the rally. |
| "Our presence here is not without danger," he told the crowds, in reference to Israel considering him a target during the conflict. | "Our presence here is not without danger," he told the crowds, in reference to Israel considering him a target during the conflict. |
| Pullout delayed | Pullout delayed |
| Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah ended on 14 August with a ceasefire that has largely held. | Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah ended on 14 August with a ceasefire that has largely held. |
| CONFLICT FACTS Fighting began on 12 JulyEnded 14 AugustIsraeli dead: 116 soldiers, 43 civiliansLebanese civilian dead: >1,000Hezbollah dead: unknown Quick guide: Hezbollah Israel lost 116 soldiers in the fighting, while 43 civilians were killed in Hezbollah rocket attacks. | CONFLICT FACTS Fighting began on 12 JulyEnded 14 AugustIsraeli dead: 116 soldiers, 43 civiliansLebanese civilian dead: >1,000Hezbollah dead: unknown Quick guide: Hezbollah Israel lost 116 soldiers in the fighting, while 43 civilians were killed in Hezbollah rocket attacks. |
| More than 1,000 Lebanese civilians and an unknown number of Hezbollah fighters were killed in the conflict. | More than 1,000 Lebanese civilians and an unknown number of Hezbollah fighters were killed in the conflict. |
| Israel failed to achieve its stated war aims of driving Hezbollah fighters from the border, stopping rocket attacks and freeing two of its soldiers captured by Hezbollah in a cross-border raid. | Israel failed to achieve its stated war aims of driving Hezbollah fighters from the border, stopping rocket attacks and freeing two of its soldiers captured by Hezbollah in a cross-border raid. |
| The Beirut rally had been expected to coincide with the final pullout of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon, but the Israeli military said on Friday that some troops would remain in Lebanon over the Jewish New Year holiday this weekend. | The Beirut rally had been expected to coincide with the final pullout of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon, but the Israeli military said on Friday that some troops would remain in Lebanon over the Jewish New Year holiday this weekend. |
| High security | High security |
| Security in the streets around the rally point was intense, the BBC's Crispin Thorold in Beirut says, with Hezbollah monitoring everyone entering the area and all rooftops manned. | Security in the streets around the rally point was intense, the BBC's Crispin Thorold in Beirut says, with Hezbollah monitoring everyone entering the area and all rooftops manned. |
| It had been unclear whether Sheikh Nasrallah would attend what was being called a "victory festival". He had only been seen on television since the conflict started. | It had been unclear whether Sheikh Nasrallah would attend what was being called a "victory festival". He had only been seen on television since the conflict started. |
| Hezbollah leaders say the group won a "divine victory" over Israel | |
| A spokesman for Sheikh Nasrallah said he would make a "landmark historic speech" and outline plans for the group's future, the Associated Press reported. | A spokesman for Sheikh Nasrallah said he would make a "landmark historic speech" and outline plans for the group's future, the Associated Press reported. |
| Our correspondent said the rally was also intended to strengthen Hezbollah's political agenda in Lebanon. | Our correspondent said the rally was also intended to strengthen Hezbollah's political agenda in Lebanon. |
| All of the major politicians allied to Hezbollah were expected to attend. | All of the major politicians allied to Hezbollah were expected to attend. |
| The Prime Minister, Fouad Siniora, said he had not been invited. | The Prime Minister, Fouad Siniora, said he had not been invited. |
| Since the cessation of hostilities Hezbollah has been organising reconstruction in its heartlands and paying compensation to the families whose homes were destroyed. | Since the cessation of hostilities Hezbollah has been organising reconstruction in its heartlands and paying compensation to the families whose homes were destroyed. |
| But it has also been calling for a government of national unity to replace the current one. | But it has also been calling for a government of national unity to replace the current one. |