BEIRUT -- Lebanese soldiers fired guns and tear gas to push back
hundreds of protesters who broke through a police cordon and tried to
storm the government headquarters in Beirut.
The enraged crowd came from
the funeral of a top Lebanese intelligence official assassinated in a
massive car bombing.
The protesters blame Friday's killing on Syria -- and they consider the
government in Beirut to be far too close to the regime there. Lebanon
for much of the past 30 years has lived under Syrian military and
political domination.
Former Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Saniora appealed for calm.
"The use of violence is unacceptable and does not represent the image
that we want," Saniora said in a televised address. "We appreciate the
feelings of the people."
Several hundred protesters made it to within 50 metres of the entrance
of Lebanon's government palace, with thousands more behind them. The
gunfire appeared to push the crowd back.
Army commandos marched into the streets wielding clubs.
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