Lebanese Leader Vows To Stand Firm Against Protests

Lebanese troops in front of a government building in Beirut today (AFP) December 1, 2006 -- The Lebanese Army has deployed in central Beirut ahead of massive street protests planned for this afternoon.

The demonstrations against Prime Minister Fuad Siniora's pro-Western government are being organized by Hizballah and its pro-Syrian allies.

Siniora has vowed that his government will not be toppled by the protests.

Speaking on national television on November 30, Siniora pledged to stand firm against what he called a possible "coup" against Lebanon's democratic system.

"We will not allow them to topple the democratic system, its organizations, and its basis," he said. "We will not accept a state inside a state. We are deep-rooted to our legitimate and constitutional government for all Lebanon and for all the Lebanese."

Hizballah, which is backed by Syria and Iran, has called for mass protests to force out Siniora's government, calling it a puppet of the United States.

Tensions in Lebanon have again been rising since an anti-Syrian government minister was murdered last week, and six pro-Syrian lawmakers quit Siniora's cabinet.

(AP, Reuters, AFP)