Hundreds of protesters blowing whistles and chanting anti-Syrian slogans returned to central Beirut on Tuesday as Lebanon's president Emile Lahoud sought candidates for a new government.
About 400 people marched through downtown demanding the resignation of pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud and the withdrawal of Syrian soldiers. "We will be here every day until the last Syrian soldier withdraws from our land," one activist said through a loudspeaker. The crowd, blowing whistles, chanted back: "Freedom. Sovereignty. Independence."
Elsewhere in the country, shops, businesses and banks reopened after a one-day strike Monday to protest the Feb. 14 assassination of former prime minister Rafic al Hariri.
Syria on Tuesday remained silent about Monday's events in Beirut. The state-controlled media reported the resignation but did not mention the protests against the pro-Syrian government or show pictures on TV or in newspapers of the massive protests.
"Lahoud accepted the resignation of the Karami government," said the headline in the Syrian ruling party's Baath newspaper.
Press sources on Tuesday said Lahoud favored a 10-member government of non-partisan technocrats under ex-Premier Salim al Hoss to navigate the nation through the transition period, but that the president was also open to such names of Bahia Hariri or Fouad Siniora. All three have turned down the post but Lahoud hopes they would have a change of heart once the consultations start on Wednesday or Thursday to name the new prime minister.
