Mass protests call for Lebanese PM to quit
Saturday, 02 Dec 2006 18:25
Mr Siniora has said he will stand firm despite the protests
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Hundreds of thousands of protesters have joined in the capital of Lebanon, Beirut, in an attempt to force the prime minister to resign.
The rally, which began on Friday, looks set to continue as many protesters have committed to an indefinite sit-in in the capital's squares until the Fouad Siniora resigns. Tents have been set up and many demonstrators have brought living supplies with them.
Mr Siniora has been accused by opponents including Hizbullah as being anti-Syrian and too pro-western, particularly during the conflict over the summer between the militant group and Israel.
Opposition leaders gave speeches to the crowds packed inside Beirut. Michel Aoun, an opposition Christian leader, declared "I call on the prime minister and his ministers to quit".
After six Shia Muslim ministers resigned three weeks ago, there are calls from the protesters for a representative government. Many from the Christian community are involved with the demonstrations, feeling that they are under-represented.
However, the prime minister appears staunchly against quitting despite the pressure from thousands of demonstrators, saying that he will stand firm as Lebanon's "democratic system is in danger".
The US has described the protests as "threats of intimidation violence" and condemned the rallies.