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Beirut readies for Wissam al-Hassan funeral Thousands gather in Beirut for Wissam al-Hassan funeral
(35 minutes later)
Thousands of people are gathering in Beirut's central Martyrs' Square for the funeral of Lebanese security chief Wissam al-Hassan. Thousands have gathered in Beirut's Martyrs' Square for the funeral of security chief Wissam al-Hassan.
Hassan was among three people killed by a car bomb on Friday, in an attack which opposition leader Saad Hariri blamed on Syria. His coffin has been met by Lebanon's president and prime minister at Beirut's police headquarters, close to the site of the car bomb which killed Hassan and two others on Friday.
Mr Hariri has called on as many people as possible to attend the funeral. Lebanon's opposition has blamed the attack on Syria.
A BBC correspondent says the funeral may turn into a huge rally against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.A BBC correspondent says the funeral may turn into a huge rally against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Everyone's fear is that the civil war in Syria may spill over into Lebanon and that more violence is inevitable, Wyre Davies reports from Beirut.Everyone's fear is that the civil war in Syria may spill over into Lebanon and that more violence is inevitable, Wyre Davies reports from Beirut.
Security is tight in Beirut ahead of the funeral, which will begin with a ceremony at the headquarters of the Internal Security Forces - Hassan's office and the site of the bombing - before moving to Martyrs' Square. "Really, we are waiting for the fall of the regime in Syria. Until that happens there can be no peace in Lebanon," one woman told him in Martyrs' Square.
There has already been unrest in several parts of Lebanon, with opposition protesters blocking roads to protest against Syria and their Lebanese allies. Syria connection
Syria connection President Michel Suleiman and Prime Minister Najib Mikati - who has come under fire over the killing - greeted Hassan's coffin at a ceremony at the headquarters of the Internal Security Forces (ISF).
The former intelligence chief's wife and children were also there, flown over from Paris where they had been sent for their safety some months ago
Tight security was in place in Beirut ahead of the funeral, which moves on to Martyrs' Square after the ceremony at the ISF building.
Saad al-Hariri, leader of Lebanon's Future Movement party and a close ally of Hassan, called on as many people as possible to attend.
Syria's brutal civil is already being played out on the streets of Tripoli, the northern Lebanese city where pro-Syrian (Alawite) and Sunni anti-Assad factions have fought fierce gun battles on at least two occasions this year.Syria's brutal civil is already being played out on the streets of Tripoli, the northern Lebanese city where pro-Syrian (Alawite) and Sunni anti-Assad factions have fought fierce gun battles on at least two occasions this year.
One of General Wissam al-Hassan's most high-profile recent moves was the uncovering of an alleged plot that led to the arrest of a former minister, Michel Samaha.One of General Wissam al-Hassan's most high-profile recent moves was the uncovering of an alleged plot that led to the arrest of a former minister, Michel Samaha.
He was detained on charges of collaborating with members of the Syrian government to import explosives and launch attacks in Lebanon.He was detained on charges of collaborating with members of the Syrian government to import explosives and launch attacks in Lebanon.
It would, so the argument goes, suit the purposes of the Assad government to "export" its civil war to Lebanon - a warning to those who are calling for Assad's removal that wider regional conflict would be the only outcome if the regime in Damascus were to fall.It would, so the argument goes, suit the purposes of the Assad government to "export" its civil war to Lebanon - a warning to those who are calling for Assad's removal that wider regional conflict would be the only outcome if the regime in Damascus were to fall.
Mr Hassan, who was 47, headed the intelligence arm of Lebanon's internal security forces and was close to Sunni leader Saad Hariri. Hassan, who was 47, headed the intelligence arm of Lebanon's internal security forces and was close to Mr Hariri.
He will be buried alongside Mr Hariri's father, former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, an official is quoted as saying by AFP news agency.He will be buried alongside Mr Hariri's father, former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, an official is quoted as saying by AFP news agency.
Rafik Hariri was killed by a car bomb in Beirut in 2005. Hassan led an investigation implicating Damascus in the attack.Rafik Hariri was killed by a car bomb in Beirut in 2005. Hassan led an investigation implicating Damascus in the attack.
Saad Hariri said the funeral should be attended by "all of Lebanon, which Wissam al-Hassan protected from the plots of Bashar al-Assad".Saad Hariri said the funeral should be attended by "all of Lebanon, which Wissam al-Hassan protected from the plots of Bashar al-Assad".
Hassan also recently organised the arrest of a former minister accused of planning a Syrian-sponsored bombing campaign in Lebanon.Hassan also recently organised the arrest of a former minister accused of planning a Syrian-sponsored bombing campaign in Lebanon.
A day after the bombing, Prime Minister Najib Mikati suggested the attack had been connected with that case.A day after the bombing, Prime Minister Najib Mikati suggested the attack had been connected with that case.
A day of national mourning was held on Saturday. Residents in the mainly Christian district of Ashrafiya, where the bomb went off, held a vigil for the victims.A day of national mourning was held on Saturday. Residents in the mainly Christian district of Ashrafiya, where the bomb went off, held a vigil for the victims.
Burning tyresBurning tyres
Also on Saturday, Mr Mikati offered to resign as PM, but President Michel Suleiman asked him to stay on in the national interest.Also on Saturday, Mr Mikati offered to resign as PM, but President Michel Suleiman asked him to stay on in the national interest.
Opposition supporters set up roadblocks and burnt tyres in Beirut, denouncing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his Lebanese allies.Opposition supporters set up roadblocks and burnt tyres in Beirut, denouncing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his Lebanese allies.
Similar protests were held in Sidon in the south, Tripoli in the north and in the Bekaa Valley in the east.Similar protests were held in Sidon in the south, Tripoli in the north and in the Bekaa Valley in the east.
Tension in Lebanon has been rising as a result of the Syrian conflict.Tension in Lebanon has been rising as a result of the Syrian conflict.
Lebanon's religious communities are divided between those who support the government of Syrian President Assad - including many Shias - and those mostly from the Sunni community who back the rebels.Lebanon's religious communities are divided between those who support the government of Syrian President Assad - including many Shias - and those mostly from the Sunni community who back the rebels.
Lebanon's Shia militant group Hezbollah - a close ally of the Syrian government - condemned the bombing.Lebanon's Shia militant group Hezbollah - a close ally of the Syrian government - condemned the bombing.
Syrian Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi called it a "cowardly, terrorist act". He said such incidents were "unjustifiable wherever they occur".Syrian Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi called it a "cowardly, terrorist act". He said such incidents were "unjustifiable wherever they occur".
One Lebanese mourner in Beirut, Samer al-Hirri, said he had travelled some distance to pay his respects.One Lebanese mourner in Beirut, Samer al-Hirri, said he had travelled some distance to pay his respects.
"Wissan al-Hassan is from our area and we came here to bid him farewell," he told the Associated Press news agency. "He was killed while defending his country.""Wissan al-Hassan is from our area and we came here to bid him farewell," he told the Associated Press news agency. "He was killed while defending his country."
Are you in Lebanon? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.Are you in Lebanon? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.