BBC: Protesters barricade Beirut roads ~ Hezbollah civil action attempt to take down government...

BBC ^ | Tuesday, 23 January 2007, 04:42 GMT | BBC Staff

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Protesters barricade Beirut roads

Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora faces a test of credibility

Hundreds of Lebanese demonstrators have blocked major roads in Beirut at the start of a general strike.

The Hezbollah-led opposition has called the strike as part of their continuing campaign to force the resignation of the government.

Witnesses said the protestors burned tyres and piled up rocks and stones to block the roads and prevent anyone going to work.

The government had warned troops might be used to maintain order.

Hezbollah wants the formation of a national unity government in which it and its allies have a big enough share to carry a veto.

Since 1 December, they have been besieging the main government building in Beirut.

So far, their tactics have not had the desired effect so they have decided to try to step up the pressure by calling this general strike, says the BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut.

Uncertainty

The strike call has pitched the country into a highly uncertain and very tense situation, with many unknown factors, not least whether this action will be open-ended or limited to one day.

Prime Minister Fouad Siniora says the army and security forces will take steps to ensure the roads stay open so people who want to go to work can do so.

With the government strongly urging people to go about their business as usual, there is no doubt this will be a trial of strength, our correspondent says.

It comes at a particularly damaging time for the government, as potential donors gather in Paris for a major aid conference on Thursday to help get Lebanon back on its feet after last summer's Hezbollah-Israel war.

Sectarian divide

The contest over the strike has strong sectarian overtones, our correspondent says.

It is almost certain to be observed in Shia areas, as it is supported by the two big Shia factions - Hezbollah and its mainstream ally, Amal.

The Sunnis and Druze largely support the government, so their regions are unlikely to take part.

But there will be confusion in mixed areas, and among the Christian community.

Michel Aoun and several other Christian factions support Hezbollah and the opposition, while other Christian groups back the government.

[bnelson44]

So it begins. The beginning of the end of Christianity in the Middle East.

[Just sayin]

Iran couldn't get anywhere fighting Israel so they had the world save their behinds with another 'ceasefire'. Now they go after the lebanese people and government.

More Islamofacist zealotry exposed for what it is....for all the world to see.

How much will the world have to witness before they see that there is no choice but to stand firm and fight this evil scurge?

[jiggyboy]

I think it's inevitable. Nasrallah published his plans/threats clearly and with plenty of notice back in September or October and he has been following through on them in the time and manner he had said.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Sen Biden will be along shortly and say that it's Bushes and Condi Rice's fault cause we haven't been talking to them nicely !

[JSteff]

"How much will the world have to witness before they see that there is no choice but to stand firm and fight this evil scourge?"

The world will never see because they don't want to. If they admit that they see it they would have to do something about it. They do not want to have to get involved.

Half the world sees but does not care. That is the muzzlim half of the world. That is the same half of the world who allows muzzie's to kill hundreds a day in Baghdad and blames the U.S.

The other half the world will ignore just like they did in WWII, Cambodia, Rwanda, etc. They think they bad guys will just wear themselves out on their latest victims.

They don't realize that they are next. Sooner or later it will be time for them too. After all it is written in the Koran.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

The AP report:

January 22, 2007 at 20:50:12 PST
Protesters Block Roads in Lebanon

**********************************************************

ASSOCIATED PRESS

BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) -

Opposition protesters blocked roads with car tires around the Lebanese capital of Beirut and other regions on Tuesday to enforce a general strike aimed at toppling the government.

Opposition activists set out early to burn tires on major highways north and south of the city as well as a ring road around downtown Beirut, sending black clouds of smoke billowing into the air. Army troops and fire engines moved in to remove the obstacles.

Since Dec. 1, The pro-Syrian opposition, led by the Shiite militant group Hezbollah and its allies, have staged street protests and sit-ins, camping outside the prime minister's office, in a bid to topple the government of Prime Minister Fuad Saniora.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah had urged all Lebanese to go on strike to bring down the government. Saniora urged all Lebanese to ignore the call.

The turnout for Tuesday is seen as a test of strength between the government and Hezbollah-led opposition. Although both leaders sought to avoid violence, tension in the streets between their supporters is likely to be high.

[SevenofNine]

Whoa Israeli news ping list guess what wacky Hezollah up too

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

See this:

Hezbollah vows 'very big action' ahead (threatens to bring down Lebanese govt. in the coming days)

[NormsRevenge]

Here we go.. thanks!

[SevenofNine]

Gee now I don't understand why Israel didn't go smackdown on Hezollah when they had a chance THANK YOU OLMEHT he is Jimmy Carter of Israel

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Lebanon: Planned Hezbollah-Led Protests Up the Ante
January 22, 2007 22 15 GMT

******************8AN EXCERPT *****************************

Hezbollah-led opposition protests in the Lebanese capital of Beirut are expected to escalate Jan. 23 before the Paris III international donor's conference in France that starts Jan. 25. Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora has said he will use the funds raised at the conference to stabilize the economy, in addition to implementing a reform package that would increase the sales tax from the already unpopular 10 percent to 16 percent and raise gasoline prices. Siniora's proposed reforms have spurred the opposition to launch a one-day protest in order to coerce the Siniora government into meeting its demands for a Cabinet expansion that would increase Hezbollah's political representation.

Sources in Hezbollah's protest movement said they have received precise directions for the Jan. 23 rally, which will include a general worker strike and road blockades made of flaming rubber tires. Though Siniora already has vowed that the army will act to prevent the protesters from blocking the roads, Hezbollah has instructed the tire-burning teams to run and blockade others roads as soon as the army arrives to put out the fires on one road. Hundreds of used tires already have been stacked in preparation for the event. This "block-and-run" protest will primarily be concentrated in the Shiite and Christian areas of the city. The protesters plan to keep away from the Sunni areas in order to avoid communal clashes.

[onyx]

Is this getting TV coverage? I am about to sign out for the night.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I don't know,....I don't have my TV on....and I'm about to shut down....

This was planned....see a link above somewhere.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I'll turn on Fox shortly...

[onyx]

I'm signing out. I'll tune to FNC too.

[BigSkyFreeper]

Good night #1

:) 

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

FOX is replaying Shep....Nite all

[onyx]

PAD is on. Good night.

[onyx]

Night, Ernest.