Half Million Rally in Beirut

... no Danish flags burned.

Half a million flag-waving Lebanese packed central Beirut on Tuesday, a year to the day after the assassination of former premier Rafik al-Hariri, giving new impetus to Lebanon's anti-Syrian coalition.

The turnout was reminiscent of huge protests after last year's February 14 killing of Hariri and 22 others.

Those demonstrations, coupled with international pressure, forced Syria to end its 29-year military presence in Lebanon, although Damascus denies any role in the assassination.

Syria's Lebanese foes said Tuesday's rally would revive a campaign to force pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud to quit and to punish those behind the truck bombing that killed Hariri.

"By being present here today, you foil the conspiracy ... against Lebanon, against Rafik al-Hariri, against Lebanon's freedom, independence and dignity," the former prime minister's son and political heir Saad al-Hariri told the crowd from behind bullet-proof glass.

Believing he too could be killed, Hariri has spent more than six months abroad, but returned to Beirut for the anniversary.

Bring on the protest babes!

Freedom on the March Posted by AlexC at February 14, 2006 12:26 PM