800,000 Pack Beirut For Opposition Rally (Anti-Syrian Protests)

Yahoo! News Singapore ^ | March 14, 2005 | Agence France-Presse

[MisterRepublican]

An emboldened Lebanese opposition mobilized more than 800,000 people to demand an end to Syrian military domination of Lebanon, hurling a potent challenge to the Syrian-backed government here.

Beirut city official Mounib Nassereddine said the estimate of 800,000 did did not include demonstrators who were still arriving from all parts of the country ahead of the rally.

Thousands of Lebanese had made their way throughout the morning to the capital by car, bus and boat, heading for Martyrs Square and the grave of former prime minister Rafiq Hariri, assassinated exactly one month ago in a bomb blast.

Lebanese television aired spectacular pictures of a massive throng in the square, showing thousands of demonstrators waving the red, white and green Lebanese flag in bright sunshine against the deep blue of the Mediterranean in the background.

Nassereddine said Monday's gathering was "at least two and a half times" larger than last Tuesday's turnout called by pro-Syrian Lebanese parties, notably the Shiite Muslim movement Hezbollah. AFP correspondents estimated the crowd last week at 400,000.

"Hezbollah organized a giant demonstration last Tuesday to intimidate us," said Nada, 35, as she travelled to Beirut from Zahle in the east.

"Today we're taking up the challenge and invite it to join us because we represent the true majority of the country."

Added Anwar: "The Syrian people are our brothers. We have ties that go back centuries but the Syrian army and the mukhabarat (intellence service) are no longer welcome in Lebanon."

Huguette Yamine, a 57, said Monday's poltical demonstration was her first.

"I came with 10 family members. We walked here all the way from the other side of Beirut. We've had enough. I want my children to live in a free and democratic Lebanon."

[Trajan88]

We Texas A&M Aggies demand equal time.

How about a photo of President Bush Sr. with a Gig 'Em Aggies thumbs up ;-)

Trajan88; TAMU Class of '88

[Lady In Blue]

I found this little bit on Syrian opposition parties:

Page 1 Syrian Opposition Parties Unite Seven Opposition Parties Respond to the Reform Party of Syria's Call for Unity

WASHINGTON, Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- The Reform Party of Syria has issued an invitation to all the non-violent opposition parties in Syria and abroad to unite under a "Democratic Coalition to Free Syria". The Conference will be held onNovember 15 and 16 in Washington DC.Seven opposition parties have accepted the invitation. RPS continues discussions with other opposition groups to broaden the coalition. The National Press ClubNewsmaker Event is sponsoring an open press conference to meet the leaders of the opposition parties (Zenger Room) on November 17 at 2pm.The purpose of this call for unity is to create a multi-party alternative to the Baath regime in Syria that will represent all Syrians. The Reform Party believes that the silent majority of Syrians want to see a democratic and a secular Syria rise from the ruins of the present regime. The fragmented nature of the Syrian opposition has helped sustain the regime in Damascus, which represents less than 10% of the population. Over 90% of the Syrian people have been subjected to untold horrors for over 40 years under the Baath Party rule. Syrians and Lebanese alike are arrested and imprisoned on a daily basis with no due process or the application of basic human rights laws.The Reform Party of Syria believes that the rise of Islamic extremism in the Arab world today, particularly in Syria, is due to the despotic nature of our rulers, lack of basic freedoms, and the absence of a democratic value system. The more oppressive the regime, the more its people manifest extremism.The Reform Party of Syria is a US-based opposition party governed by secular, peace committed American-Syrians, Euro-Syrians, and native Syrians who are determined to see that a "New Syria" embraces real democratic and economic reforms.The party has presence in the US, Europe, and Syria and membership has been increasing steadily since announcing the party creation on April 15, 2003. For moreinformation about the party and its leadership, please visithttp://www.reformsyria.com (English) and http://www.reformsyria.net (Arabic).

[Valin]

The Reform Party of Syria believes that the rise of Islamic extremism in the Arab world today, particularly in Syria, is due to the despotic nature of our rulers, lack of basic freedoms, and the absence of a democratic value system.

Agree. This IS the root cause.

[SunkenCiv]

Love this headline:

“HUMAN TSUNAMI” COVERS BEIRUT
Publius Pundit | 3/14/2005 | Robert Mayer
Posted on 03/14/2005 9:03:31 PM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1362925/posts

[Valin]

Syrian intelligence office in Lebanon evacuated
http://www.brunei-online.com/bb/tue/mar15w25.htm

BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) - Syrian military intelligence vacated one more office Monday as the anti-Syrian opposition was planning a massive demonstration in central Beirut to demand full Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon, resignation of Lebanese security chiefs and uncovering the killers of former Premier Rafik Hariri.

Most of the offices of Syrian military intelligence - the widely resented arm through which Syria controlled many aspects of Lebanese life - remained in northern and central Lebanon after Syrian troops redeployed east closer to the Syrian border, with some already gone home.

Early Monday, Syrian intelligence officers packed up and left the town of Amyoun in the Koura region of northern Lebanon, local residents said. Syrian intelligence left offices in the towns of Aley and Bhamdoun in the central mountains east of Beirut last week and headed to the Syrian-controlled areas of eastern Lebanon.

A senior Lebanese army officer said Sunday that 4,000 Syrian soldiers - more than a quarter of those serving in Lebanon just a week ago - are back in Syria, but he said a complete withdrawal is nearly a month away at the earliest.

A Syrian Cabinet minister also indicated a "very fast timetable for withdrawal" was expected - with completion ahead of Lebanese parliamentary elections as US President George W. Bush has demanded. Election dates have not yet been set, but voting was expected to begin in April.

"The elections will take place and I think the troops will move out of Lebanon probably before then," Bouthaina Shaaban, a Syrian Cabinet minister, told CNN. "I don't know how logistically possible it's going to be, but probably before then."

[MeekOneGOP]

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Yup,,,, the good old protester poker game.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Let's hope this has not gone unnoticed by the populace in China.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

You gotta love the strategy and the boldness of our military planners and President Bush's team.
I love it, Syria is stuck between a rock ( no pun intended , as to between IRAQ and a hard place ) and a hard place.
Assad knows, and is very aware, that if he makes a wrong move and comes down hard on the Lebanese people, it will give the US a good reason to use military force on Syria.
As Jackie Gleason use to say " How Sweet it is " .
Let freedom ring.

[ajolympian2004]

Thanks to everyone who posted the awe-inspiring pictures from this rally.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Well, 96,000,000 Americans did protest for freedom here in America on NOV 3, 2004, that's why George Bush won and got the Popular vote and the electoral vote.
John Kerry, if you love France so much, why don't you renounce your US citizenship and move to France and stay there.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Let's hope so.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Correction : " Let's see Hizbollah try to top this and stop this "

[Diva Betsy Ross]

that is perfect!

[Diva Betsy Ross]

I literally can not stop thinking about this thread. I just showed my 6 year old. He said, "Mom that is a river of people!".

Godspeed to the, every single one of them in that river. Indeed, freedom is on the march.

[yellowdoghunter]

That photo is classic!

[gopwinsin04]

[beachn4fun]

I want my children to live in a free and democratic Lebanon."

Now aren't those pretty words? They must have been listening to Prez Bush after all. (((BIG SMILE)))

[marty60]

Interesting, when syria had a pro-Syria rally the media had minute by minute coverage. correspondants and all. when 800,000 anti-syria Lebonese demonstrate.....SILENCE.

[OPS4]

If Syria does not get all troops out of Lebanon, They will have Jordan and other countries massing on the borders.

Could be a civil war between extemists and the freedom fighters. Go Freedom Fighters.
Ops4 God Bless America!