Posted on 03/05/2005 10:11:23 PM PST by M. Espinola
BEIRUT: Lebanese army troops backed by several armoured vehicles took up positions near the Syrian intelligence headquarters in a Beirut suburb on Saturday.
It was not immediately clear what prompted the deployment of the approximately 50 troops, three armoured personnel carriers and several trucks.
The deployment, about 150 meters (yards) from the Beau Rivage Hotel where the main Syrian intelligence units for the Beirut area are located, comes a few hours before Syrian President Bashar Assad was expected to announce a withdrawal from Syrian forces from Lebanon.
A Syrian soldier stand guards at the checkpoint, painted in the colours of the Syrian flag, of the Syrian intelligence headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday March 5th, 2005.
Meanwhile, US President George W Bush said on Saturday that Syria is an obstacle to securing peace across the Middle East, making a new demand that Syria withdraw its troops from Lebanon.
Contemporary Distribution of Lebanon's Main Religious Groups
The US leader said however that anti-Syrian demonstration by thousands of people in Lebanon was one of the “remarkable” new signs of democracy sweeping the region. “For years, the Lebanese people have suffered from the aftermath of a horrific civil war and occupation by Syria,” Bush said in his weekly radio address.
A Lebanese special forces soldier stands guard in front a tent camp where some activists are vowing to maintain a vigil until the last Syrian soldier leaves the country at the Beirut's Martyrs square, Lebanon, Friday March 4th, 2005.
“Lebanese citizens who have watched free elections in Iraq are now demanding the right to decide their own destiny, free of Syrian control and domination.
“Syria has been an occupying force in Lebanon for nearly three decades, and Syria’s support for terrorism remains a key obstacle to peace in the broader Middle East.”
A young protester unfurls a Lebanese flag at a camp in Beirut March 5th, 2005. Under intense global pressure, Syria was poised to announce on Saturday that it would start to pull troops out of Lebanon, but the move looked unlikely to placate the United States or other vocal critics. (Reuters)
The US president has made almost daily attacks on Syria since protests in Beirut started, sparked by the assassination last month of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri. “Today, America and Europe are standing together with the Lebanese people,” Bush said, highlighting US cooperation with France to get a UN Security Council resolution on the withdrawal of foreign forces in Lebanon passed.
“The world is now speaking with one voice to ensure that democracy and freedom are given a chance to flourish in Lebanon,” Bush said. “A Syrian withdrawal of all its military and intelligence personnel would help ensure that the Lebanese elections occur as scheduled in the spring, and that they will be free and fair.”
Syrian soldiers gather at a Syrian Army base near the village Aley, in the central mountains east of Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday (2-5-05). (AP Photo)
The US leader said efforts by Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas to seek those responsible for a suicide bomb attack in Tel Aviv last weekend was another sign of progress in the Middle East.
“Such action is critical, because that attack is a reminder that there are still groups and individuals who will kill to prevent peace in the Middle East,” Bush said. The “dismantling of terrorist organisations” must be the first reform carried out by the new Palestinian leadership to secure peace with Israel, Bush said.
“Today, people in a long-troubled part of the world are standing up for their freedom. In the last five months, we have witnessed successful elections in Afghanistan, the Palestinian territory and Iraq; peaceful demonstrations on the streets of Beirut; and steps towards democratic reform in Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
“The trend is clear: In the Middle East and throughout the world, freedom is on the march.”
Lebanese protestors wave national flags and anti Syria banners as they watch the speech of the Syrian President Bashar Assad broadcast onto a screen at Martyr's Square, central Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, March 5th, 2005.
Bush went on: “The road ahead will not be easy, and progress will sometimes be slow. But America, Europe and our Arab partners must all continue the hard work of defeating terrorism and supporting democratic reforms.”
All photos added
Lebanese opposition protesters react in downtown Beirut to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's speech in Damacus. Assad announced that Syria would redeploy all its troops in Lebanon to the Syrian border but did not set a timetable for a full withdrawal.(AFP/Ramzi Haidar)
Syrian President Bashar Assad waves to people from outside the parliament building on Saturday March 5th, 2005 in Damascus, where he is to deliver a speech that is expected to announce the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon. Others unidentified. (AP Photo/SANA)
Problems! Two pro-Syrian protesters kiss a portrait of Syrian President Bashar Assad during a pro-Syrian demonstration in Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday March 5th, 2005. Gunfire erupted late Saturday after pro-Syrian protesters arrived in Beirut's Christian sector that is the center of anti-Syrian sentiment.
A man holds a child on his shoulders, to wave the national flag along with others, as they take part in an anti-Syria demonstration at Martyr's Square, central Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, March 5th, 2005.
Syrian soldiers gather at a Syrian Army base near the village Aley, in the central mountains east of Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday ([2[-5-05). (AP Photo)
Wow...stuff happens fast. Like the Wall.....eh?
'bout time Syria got their nose bloodied and their balls kicked into their stomach.
Thank you President Bush! After Syria.....Iran!
Hope this is being beamed to Iraq and Iran TV stations. Should make Iraq's proud, and help inspire the Iranians.
He don' wanna be a cellmate to Saddam!
So, how soon can we get a war going with Syria & cut this little Mini-Me Hilter down to size? Surely, after this the Iranian nuts running the joint there would be wetting their pants.
How about an ultimatum to the Nazi's in Bedsheets (Robert Byrd's, no doubt...) running Iran: "Enrich uranium or develop nukes & we'll nuke you!"
Truly, it does warm the heart
It's a beautiful thing!
Ohhhhh, ummmm, President Bush??
While we're still in the 'neighborhood', why don't we just swing by and kick some more ASS for FREEDOM!
Awesome pictures, BTW.
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