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Huge protest in Beirut

Atul Aneja

DUBAI: Massive crowds supporting Hizbollah and its allies poured into Beirut for a sit-in aimed at bringing down the Government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.

The crowds unfurled Lebanese flags and lofted white banners that read: "Down with Feltman's government," in obvious reference to U.S. ambassador Jeffrey Feltman, who is accused by Hizbollah of running the Lebanese government. "We want a national unity government,' and "We want a clean government,' other banners read.

Analyst saw these protests as a showdown between the pro-U.S. Lebanese government and Hizbollah that is backed by Iran and Syria.

Hizbollah's show of strength is a follow up of its success in the battlefield where its fighters provided effective resistance to Israeli attacks for 34 days this summer. Parliament member Ali Hassan Khalil, a Hizbollah ally who represents the Amal movement, said the sit-in would end "only when this Government resigns and a national unity government is formed." The Government has been apprehending that the demonstrations could turn violent and end up in clashes with the pro-government supporters. Besides, fears have been expressed about the crowds taking over government buildings to bring down the Siniora government.

There was a heavy deployment of armoured vehicles, police and army troops in several parts of Beirut. A massive security blanket covered the Prime Minister's offices and other government buildings.

Hizbollah, on its part, was taking steps to ensure that its protests remain peaceful. Activists of Hizbollah's "disciplinary" committee" formed a human change to separate supporters from the security forces, to avoid friction.

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