This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20017397

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Clashes erupt after Beirut funeral for Wissam al-Hassan Beirut funeral for Wissam al-Hassan followed by clashes
(35 minutes later)
Clashes have erupted outside government offices in the Lebanese capital Beirut after thousands attended the funeral of security chief Wissam al-Hassan who was killed in a car bomb on Friday. Clashes have erupted outside government offices in the Lebanese capital Beirut after thousands attended the funeral of security chief Wissam al-Hassan who was killed by a car bomb on Friday.
The protesters threw stones at the building, as police fired tear gas. Protesters have been trying to storm the HQ, after a new call for Prime Minister Najib Mikat to resign. Police have fired warning shots and tear gas.
The scenes came after the opposition renewed a call for the PM to resign over the attack which killed one of Mr Hassan's bodyguards and a woman nearby. Friday's attack also killed one of Mr Hassan's bodyguards and a woman nearby.
Opposition figures have blamed neighbouring Syria for the attack.Opposition figures have blamed neighbouring Syria for the attack.
Many have protested against Syria and its Lebanese allies amid fears the Syrian conflict could spill over.Many have protested against Syria and its Lebanese allies amid fears the Syrian conflict could spill over.
"Really, we are waiting for the fall of the regime in Syria. Until that happens, there can be no peace in Lebanon," one woman in Martyrs' Square said."Really, we are waiting for the fall of the regime in Syria. Until that happens, there can be no peace in Lebanon," one woman in Martyrs' Square said.
Lebanon's religious communities are divided between those who support the Syrian government - 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 Syrian government - 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".
Syrian troops withdrew from Lebanon in 2005 after a 29-year-long presence, in the wake of the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.Syrian troops withdrew from Lebanon in 2005 after a 29-year-long presence, in the wake of the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
Mr Hassan, 47, was close to the 14 March opposition and the Hariri family, part of the anti-Syrian opposition.Mr Hassan, 47, was close to the 14 March opposition and the Hariri family, part of the anti-Syrian opposition.
Blaming neighbourBlaming neighbour
President Michel Suleiman and Prime Minister Najib Mikati - who has faced calls for his resignation over the killing - greeted Mr Hassan's coffin at an earlier ceremony at the headquarters of the Internal Security Forces (ISF). President Michel Suleiman and Prime Minister Mikati - who has faced calls for his resignation over the killing - greeted Mr Hassan's coffin at an earlier ceremony at the headquarters of the Internal Security Forces (ISF).
Mr Hassan headed up the intelligence branch of the ISF. The car bomb exploded close to its offices in the east Beirut neighbourhood of Ashrafiya.Mr Hassan headed up the intelligence branch of the ISF. The car bomb exploded close to its offices in the east Beirut neighbourhood of Ashrafiya.
His wife and children were also there, flown over from Paris where they had been sent for their safety some months ago His wife and children were at the funeral, flown over from Paris where they had been sent for their safety some months ago
Tight security is in place in Beirut for the funeral. Mr Hassan was to be buried alongside former Prime Minister Hariri.
Mr Hassan will be buried alongside former Prime Minister Hariri.
He led an investigation into Mr Hariri's assassination, which implicated Damascus.He led an investigation into Mr Hariri's assassination, which implicated Damascus.
Saad Hariri, the former prime minister's son, had urged "all of Lebanon, which Wissam al-Hassan protected from the plots of Bashar al-Assad" to attend the funeral.Saad Hariri, the former prime minister's son, had urged "all of Lebanon, which Wissam al-Hassan protected from the plots of Bashar al-Assad" to attend the funeral.
Mr Hassan also recently organised the arrest of a former minister accused of planning a Syrian-sponsored bombing campaign in Lebanon.Mr 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 Mikati suggested the attack had been connected with that case.A day after the bombing, Prime Minister Mikati suggested the attack had been connected with that case.
Many mourners at Sunday's funeral waved the light blue flag of the Sunni-based opposition Future Party, while others carried Lebanon's national flag.Many mourners at Sunday's funeral waved the light blue flag of the Sunni-based opposition Future Party, while others carried Lebanon's national flag.
Many people described Mr Hassan as a martyr who was killed trying to protect his country.Many people described Mr Hassan as a martyr who was killed trying to protect his country.
"We came for Lebanon's future to show that we will not be scared," said one of the mourners."We came for Lebanon's future to show that we will not be scared," said one of the mourners.
Another said President Assad of Syria was responsible "for everything - in the past, now, and if we don't stand up to him, the future".Another said President Assad of Syria was responsible "for everything - in the past, now, and if we don't stand up to him, the future".
Some banners in the crowd urged Mr Mikati to resign. The prime minister offered to stand down as prime minister on Saturday, but President Suleiman asked him to stay on in the national interest.Some banners in the crowd urged Mr Mikati to resign. The prime minister offered to stand down as prime minister on Saturday, but President Suleiman asked him to stay on in the national interest.
Opposition supporters set up roadblocks and burnt tyres in Beirut, denouncing Syrian President Assad and his Lebanese allies. A prominent Lebanese opposition MP, Ahmad Fatfat, told the BBC's Newshour programme that the conflict could escalate into civil war.
Similar protests were held in Sidon in the south, Tripoli in the north and in the Bekaa Valley in the east. "What Mr Assad is trying to do now is transfer his problem to all the countries around Syria - to Turkey, to Lebanon, to Iraq, to Jordan, and Lebanon is the most fragile in this story," he said.
"And maybe Assad will do what he can to transfer Lebanon into a hell situation so he can think later on that what is going on is a general war in the Middle East and not a revolution in Syria."
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.