Posted on 11/20/2006 8:38:13 PM PST by HAL9000
Druze leader Walid Jumblat has warned that Lebanon was on the verge of a coup d'état as Hizbullah supporters were allegedly geared up for mass street protests on Thursday.The leading daily An Nahar said Monday that the demonstrations would most likely take place on Thursday, the day Premier Fouad Saniora's cabinet is to convene.
Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah urged his followers and pro-Syrian allies to be "psychologically" ready for mass demonstrations to topple Saniora's anti-Syrian government.
Jumblat, in turn, warned that "we are on the verge of a coup … through gradual street protests and possible collective resignations from (public) administrations and from parliament … then riots and civil disobedience."
Jumblat's remarks came shortly before Nasrallah's speech was broadcast by Hizbullah's Al-Manar television channel Sunday afternoon.
Nasrallah, who did not set a date for the demonstrations, warned that the protests should be peaceful and avoid riots.
He accused Saniora's cabinet, which is backed by the anti-Syrian parliamentary majority, of falling under the influence of U.S. President George Bush's administration, saying the government had become "illegitimate" and "unconstitutional" after the resignation of six pro-Damascus ministers, including two from Hizbullah.
Saniora on Monday dismissed Nasrallah's accusations as "untrue."
Future TV quoted sources close to Saniora as saying the premier rejected Nasralla's accusations, saying "they lead to more tension and strain." Jumblat, however, in a speech published by Lebanese newspapers on Monday, said the ruling March 14 coalition welcomes an "honorable compromise" that would break the political impasse paralyzing Lebanon.
"March 14 Forces are ready for an honorable compromise that would not affect the international tribunal," Jumblat said at the general assembly meeting of his Progressive Socialist Party.
The ruling majority has viewed Nasrallah's campaign to overthrow Saniora as a coup aimed at devastating the international tribunal.
Jumblat said that the "compromise should start by endorsing the international court" to prosecute the suspected killers of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. The U.N. Security Council is expected to discuss the draft on Monday.
The Lebanese government last week approved the draft agreement. But it was met with opposition from the country's pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud, who said the government lacks legitimacy after the ministers resigned.
Hariri was killed with 22 others in a suicide truck bombing in February 2005. The assassination sparked huge protests against Syria, which was widely seen as culpable.
Meanwhile, parliamentary majority leader Saad Hariri retorting to Nasrallah, reiterated that Saniora's government will remain in office.
"We approve of the formation of a national unity government, but the mentality required for its creation is missing," Hairir concluded.
Coming to a country near you.
I don't think they'll manage it myself, but then I've been wrong before.
UPDATE:
ON THE NET...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1730468/posts?page=1088#1088
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1730468/posts?page=1089#1089
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1730468/posts?page=1090#1090
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