Jumblat: Lebanon on Verge of Coup as Nasrallah Gears Up for Mass Protests

an-Nahar (Beirut) ^ | November 20, 2006

[HAL9000]

Druze leader Walid Jumblat has warned that Lebanon was on the verge of a coup d'état as Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah urged his followers to prepare for mass street protests to topple the anti-Syrian government.

"We are on the verge of a coup … through gradual street protests and possible collective resignations from (public) sections and from parliament … then riots and civil disobedience," Jumblat warned in a speech published by Lebanese newspapers on Monday.

His remarks came shortly before a speech by Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was broadcast Sunday afternoon.

Nasrallah, who did not set a date for the demonstrations, warned that the protests should be peaceful and avoid riots.

But the Leading daily An Nahar said Monday that the street protests would most likely be staged on Thursday, the day Premier Fouad Saniora's cabinet is to convene.

Nasrallah 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.

Jumblat, however, 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.

[dc-zoo]

Here comes round 2 of the 'thrilla on the hilla'.

[AmericaUnited]

No problem. Now Israel will not have to make the pretense of dealing with some phony 'democratic' government.

[LoneRangerMassachusetts]

"We are on the verge of a coup … through gradual street protests and possible collective resignations from (public) sections and from parliament … then riots and civil disobedience,"

The Islamic modus operandi is indistinguishable from that of communists. It will take a Franco or Pinochet strongman to counter these ba$tardS. The first shot should be between the eyes of Nasrallah. The second shot to whomever takes his place. Keep cutting them off at the head.