Lebanon - Beirut protesters denounce Syria

The BBC reports "Thousands of Lebanese protesters have gathered in Beirut, a week after the killing of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. "

Many protesters out on the streets wore red and white scarves, symbolising the opposition's "independence uprising", which it describes as a peaceful campaign to dislodge the pro-Syrian Lebanese government and force out the 15,000 troops Syria keeps in Lebanon.

"It is my civic duty as a Lebanese to take part in this uprising," said one protester Youssef Mukhtar, quoted by the Associated Press news agency.

"Enough bloodshed and disasters. It is the 21st Century, and people should be able to govern themselves. The situation has become unbearable and we have to regain our country," he added.

The "Iraq effect". It must have been heartbreaking watching expat Iraqis vote for who would govern them.
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