Posted on 02/22/2005 1:59:02 PM PST by winner3000
BEIRUT: At exactly 12.55 p.m. a crowd of tens of thousands of people went completely silent, whereas a second before they were screaming out their hunger for "freedom, sovereignty and independence." Seven days after the assassination of former premier Rafik Hariri, tens of thousands of Lebanese carrying anti-Syrian banners swarmed the seafront area where Hariri was killed last Monday, roaring thundering chants of "Yalla, Syria out."
"We have had enough of Syrian secret intelligence ruling our country and killing those they don't like," shouted Joseph Njeim, as he distributed black and white flags printed by university students with the slogan: "We will fight till we get our freedom."
"We want our independence and our freedom to rule our own country," he said as he disappeared amongst a sea of Lebanese flags to that of the disbanded Christian Lebanese Forces and party flags of the Progressive Socialist Party headed by Chouf MP Walid Jumblatt.
Huge portraits of Hariri were also carried and red and white scarves were handed out as a symbol of "peaceful uprising for independence," along with posters and flyers printed by the opposition calling for "Independence '05."
In what may be the biggest and boldest protest against Syria in Lebanon's history, thousands of opposition supporters shouted insults at Syria and demanded its withdrawal with slogans such as, "Bashar, pack up your dogs and leave," and "Killer Syria, enough bloodshed."
"I am Shiite, and I came all the way from the South to shout against the killers of Hariri," said Fatima al-Sayyd, who came against her mother's wishes.
"Even if Syria didn't do it, they had a hand in it for sure," she said. "Nothing goes on here that they don't know about."
"Listen Syria, even if we end up in a civil war or whatever once you leave, it is our business.
"We want to determine our fate and not be ruled by your invisible strings," she added as she joined the tens of thousands of demonstrators in Martyrs Square, near Hariri's grave, where chants of insults turned to "Allah Akbar" and Koranic verses.
The demonstration was called by the opposition, which has been campaigning against Syria and the Syrian-backed government here, blaming them for the bomb blast that ripped through Hariri's motorcade, killing a total of 18 people and injuring some 220.
The protest also marks the passing of a full week since the Hariri's assassination, and is another manifestation of Muslim-Christian unity, a re-occurring theme since Hariri's death.
"It is about time we stand united and fight for an independent Lebanon," said Samer Geagea, who wore a cross and carried a photo of his relative, jailed LF leader Samir Geagea.
"The army delayed us for an hour, but we still managed to get here and have our voices heard," he added.
Army checkpoints set up at the entrances to the capital were reported to have delayed protesters from getting to the demonstration area by subjecting would-be demonstrators to thorough searches of both vehicle and passengers.
Generally, security was heavy for the rally with armed forces carrying assault rifles and police officers equipped with rubber batons escorting the demonstration from a distance.
Oblivious to the surrounding security, protesters danced to national beats and drums, with some even climbing lamp posts carrying Hariri's photos and Lebanese flags.
"I feel great," laughed Rabee Assaf, who was one of the street lamp climbers. "I would do anything for my country's independence," he said.
The demonstration spread beyond Lebanon with Lebanese from across the globe protesting in the streets against Syria and for Lebanon's independence.
Funny, I thought the Arab street was united.
"Freedom's on the March!" -George W. Bush
Lately even the Dumbocrats have been grudgingly accepting that President Bush's plan for instilling freedom and representative govt in mid-east countries is successful. That was the first part of GWB's vision. But now, it's becoming clear that even the more subtle part of his vision is bearing fruit.
President Bush not only wanted to bring freedom and representative democracy to the middle east, he wanted the example of successful mid-east governments to instill a desire for freedom among other peoples of the mid-east. And that's why today's news story about the demonstrations in Beirut is so important. It's working!
I wish the MSM would actually mention this topic, but such analysis is beyond their comprehension, obviously.
Time time free is good free Iraq free Ukraina now persons do know what I write free free free - Time!!!This is America good country this is what is good strong this is why I want America strong Thank you Ping
Syria claims Lebanon as lost territory pretty much the same way Iraq claims Kuwait.
Amen. The time for Lebanon Freedom has come.
"Funny, I thought the Arab street was united."
Ha. That's always been one of my biggest pet peeves. Especially after 9/11, they'd say on the news "the word on the Arab street is ..." Seems to me that if the Arab street spoke with one voice, things would be a lot calmer than they are!
TBG
Time to launch selective airstrikes on Syria to punish their murder in Lebanon and to send a message to stop supporting terrorists in Iraq. They are THE parasite regime of the Middle East and must be brought to heel. And we should make clear if they don't stop aiding and abetting terrorists in Iraq, we'll arm freedom fighters in Lebanon to expel them. SYRIA OUT OF LEBANON YOU VERMIN REGIME!!!
Man could this be the dominoes falling...?
Bump - Thank you.
Syria out of Lebanon ~ NOW!
These have been Syria's talking points from the beginning. The so-called Lebanese civil war started with Palestinians fighting the Lebanese Army. Then Syria came in to supposedly help Lebanon fight the PLO. It was only then that SYRIA STARTED ARMING MUSLIM MILITIAS that it degenerated into a civil war. Without Syria there wouldn't have been one. At Hariri's funeral Muslims and Christians spoke in one voice. Only Hizbollah (who are the only armed faction in Lebanon thanks to Syria) were missing. The biggest risk of the withdrawal is to keep Syria accountable for any mayhem they may try as they're leaving (they have a thousands of Moukhabarat (think of them as KGB) in Lebanon).
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