Emeutes dans tout le Liban – 25 janvier 2011

Lebanon protesters clash with army over new Hezbollah-backed PM

guardian.co.uk

Supporters of previous prime minister, Saad Hariri, clash with troops and burn tyres as Najib Miqati assumes office

Supporters of ousted Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri clashed with troops in Sunni strongholds today as his replacement took office, completing what Hariri said was a coup d’etat against him.

Street rallies in Hariri’s heartland of Tripoli and Sidon became standoffs with the Lebanese army as Najib Miqati was sworn in as Lebanon‘s new prime minister. There have been no reported deaths, and by nightfall the army said that both areas had been contained.

Earlier today, the vanquished Hariri and the man being widely hailed as the victor, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, both made live addresses appealing for calm as the worst political crisis in Lebanon for three years threatened to stoke ever-present sectarian grudges.

Hariri threatened to boycott the new government by staying in opposition. « Me and my allies, we will represent the opposition, » he said. told the New York Times. « What has happened is virtually a coup d’etat, a political coup d’etat. » Such a move could leave Lebanon’s Sunni Muslims without a prominent voice in a political dynamic where Sunnis, Shias and Christians are allocated senior positions according to sect.

It would also further startle the Sunni Arab world and the US, which have threatened to claw back financial support in the wake of what they describe as a « takeover » of Lebanon. Tonight, the US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, said a Hezbollah-run government would « have a clear impact » on ties with the US, which had strongly backed Hariri.

In a televised speech shortly after an informal ballot had confirmed Hariri had mustered only 60 of the 65 seats needed to reform a government, he urged his predominantly Sunni followers to stop rioting and return to their homes. « Today, you are an angry people, but you are a people responsible about the safety of Lebanon and the common life among Lebanese people. Anger cannot be expressed by cutting off roads, burning tyres or infringing the freedom of others, regardless of the motives. » Read more…

Protests turn violent after lawmakers nominate Hezbollah-backed prime minister.

GlobalPost

By Heather Murdock

January 25, 2011 09:33 ET in Middle East

A man runs past a torched vehicle during a demonstration in support of the caretaker prime minister Saad Hariri in the Sunni bastion coastal city of Tripoli on Jan. 25, 2011. (Joseph Eid/AFP/Getty Images)

TRIPOLI, Lebanon — Street protests, some of which turned violent, erupted across Lebanon Tuesday as a majority of lawmakers voted to nominate Najib Mikati, the Hezbollah-backed candidate for prime minister, to lead the country’s new government.

The success of the Hezbollah candidate is the culmination of decades of political maneuvering by the Shiite Muslim movement, which has now become the country’s most-powerful political organization, in control of the country’s largest army.

“All the people in Tripoli are angry,” said Mai Ali Osmen, a protester standing nearby a burning office building. “We hate Hezbollah.”

Hours later, after gunshots were reportedly fired at protesters, more soldiers were deployed to try to quell the ongoing demonstration, according to a local news source.

The widespread protests came after leaders called Monday for “a day of rage” in response to the expected nomination. Thousands appeared to answer that call, gathering in Tripoli and other cities Tuesday morning for a protest that began with music, dancing and passionate speeches, but ended in violence.

Riots broke out around noon, when protesters attempted to storm the office of a political party affiliated with Hezbollah and then attacked a news truck. Rioters also threw rocks at posters of Hezbollah politicians and burned a picture of Mikati.

The news truck was torched, sending a massive black cloud over the crowd. At least four men broke in and set fire to the office of Mohammad Safadi, a long-time lawmaker that typically supported March 14, the party of the now former Prime Minister Saad Hariri. This time, however, the legislator sided with Hezbollah.

In the capital Beirut, there were reports of tires burning on the roads, demonstrations and at least several injuries. Read more…

Riots erupt in Lebanon after designation of Hezbollah’s Mikati as PM

BNO News

25 January 2011

BEIRUT, LEBANON (BNO NEWS) — Riots and protests on Tuesday erupted after Lebanon’s President Michel Suleiman designated Najib Mikati as Prime Minsiter designate, the state-run National News Agency reported.

Many demonstrators have been injured in Tripoli, Qebba, Zahle and Wata Al-Mousaytbeh regions. Lebanese Army has been deployed to the areas to disperse protesters.

In the Bar-Elias region in Zahle, protesters set barricades on fire by using tires. The protest erupted into gunfire causing the injury of one person who was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital.

The main road that connects Tripoli with Menieh-Akkar was blocked by Sunnites protesters who burned tires and blocked the access. Another protester was hurt due to gun shots.

Anjar inhabitants blocked the Sham road next to Akramiyeh entrance. The crossroad towards Kaskas and Tayyounehw as also blocked with burning tires by demonstrators as well as the road in Baqqar, Qebba.

Two demonstrators were also injured during protests in Wata Al-Mousaytbeh region. Lebanese soldiers contained the rioters and disperse them. Massive security operations have been deployed to the areas where protests are underway. Read more…