Via Reuters: Thousands of Lebanese Protesters Demand “Syria Out”

Thousands of Lebanese protesters chanted “Syria out” as they marched in Beirut on Monday to demand an end to Syria’s role in Lebanon a week after the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri.

Anti-Syrian sentiment has risen sharply in Lebanon since a massive bomb killed Hariri and 15 other people on Feb. 14.

The opposition has blamed Syria for his killing and demanded an international probe. Damascus has denied any involvement.

Protesters carrying Lebanese flags and wearing red-and-white scarves, a symbol of the opposition, converged on an exclusive seafront area where the bomb tore through Hariri’s motorcade.

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“The truth is, we can’t stand Syria,” protesters chanted. “Syria out, Syria out,” and “Freedom, sovereignty, independence”, they chanted.

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Voices from most of Lebanon’s various ethnic and religious communities, encouraged by the tough anti-Syrian stance of the United States and France, are now telling Damascus and its local allies it is time to go.

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The protest was led by a number of mainly Christian and Druze opposition figures who had called for an “independence uprising” against Syria’s interference in Lebanon.

“This is a revolution for the Lebanese, we are taking back our freedom,” said Amer Sinno, a student.

“This is really new, it’s shocking to find Muslims, Christians and Druze together. This is the first time,” another student, Mireille, said.

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