Lebanese celebrate government collapse, demand Syria go

BEIRUT - Thousands of demonstrators who turned the capital into a sea of Lebanese flags exploded into riotous celebration when the government resigned after a parliament debate on the killing of former prime minister Rafik al-Hariri.

"We were thrilled of course but the government's resignation was just one demand. It is not enough and we will not be silenced this cheaply," said Ibrahim al-Saghir, an artist.

"We want to know who killed the man who rebuilt Lebanon. We want the Syrian forces to withdraw. We are here and we will stay. All Lebanon's sects are here and no one will divide us."

Protesters have gathered at Beirut's central Martyrs' Square, which they dubbed Freedom Square, ever since Hariri's assassination on February 14 to demand Syria pull its 14,000 troops out of its neighbour and the government it backed resign.

Heeding an opposition call for a general strike, banks, schools and public and private businesses shut down on Monday to coincide with the heated parliamentary debate on Hariri's killing in a huge blast two weeks ago.

That debate was meant to end in a vote of no-confidence, which the government was expected to survive.

But protesters were jubilant when Karami stepped down instead.

"We were very happy when we heard. No one expected it to happen so fast because we all thought they would win the vote of confidence," said Carla Khoury, draped in a Lebanese flag.

"This is just the first step. We are staying here to make sure they don't set up a new government that is just the same. We are staying until we have independence."

Some protesters called on Syrian-backed president Emile Lahoud to follow the government lead. Others wore stickers reading Independence 05.

Just metres away from the packed square, people stood reverently at Hariri's grave, lighting incense. A few carried olive branches.

Protesters chanted "Syria out" and "freedom, sovereignty, independence" -- catchphrases of the opposition to Syria's grip on its tiny neighbour -- and carried banners reading "United we stand" decorated with a Christian cross and Muslim crescent.

Opposition deputies, many war-time foes, have joined forces, capitalising on fury over Hariri's death to pressure those they blame -- Syria and the government. Syria has denied any role.

A drizzly morning found many sheltering in tents or huddled under blankets or jackets near the sooty remains of small fires they lit to warm them during the night.

"This is just a first step. Lahoud still has to go. Then we want the security apparatus responsible for Hariri's death to go," said Pierre Khoury, an engineer. "We want free elections and we want the Syrians to withdraw from Lebanon."

- REUTERS