LEBANON: Protesters attack U.N. building and government vehicles in downtown Beirut, as Lebanese cabinet meets and a vigil is held for victims of Israeli air strike on Qana which killed at least 54 civilians

Several thousand protesters staged a vocal protest outside the United Nations headquarters in downtown Beirut and some smashed their way into the building on Sunday (July 30) following an Israeli air strike which killed at least 54 civilians, including 37 children in Southern Lebanon. Protesters chanted "Death to Israel, death to America. We sacrifice our blood and souls for Lebanon". The raid on Qana, which was the bloodiest single attack during Israel's 19-day-old war on Hizbollah, prompted Lebanon to tell U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to stay away from Beirut. By early afternoon, most protesters had drifted away leaving a few hundred people milling in a carpark opposite the building, which was being protected by Lebanese soldiers. U.N. spokesman Khaled Mansour said the building had been stoned and furniture smashed but no U.N. staff were hurt as they had taken refuge in the basement. He said a small fire was started on the second floor but it had been contained. "There has been some destruction to the ground floor, destruction to the equipment, the desks, the offices but luckily nobody was injured. There were about 90 staff members of the United Nations in Lebanon in this building when a few number of the demonstrators came inside and we understand the anger and the outrage of the Lebanese people after the carnage that happened in Qana," he said. Protesters also surrounded Beirut's government palace. Interior Minister Ahmad Fatfat was seen being escorted away from the crowd as he entered the building. Crowds booed as he walked past. Cars carrying unidentified officials were attacked as they drove through the barricades near the government building. The U.N. building and the governmental palace are located on the same street. The Lebanese cabinet met on Sunday as world pressure mounted for a ceasefire in Israel's war in Lebanon against Hizbollah guerrillas. U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan urged the Security Council to condemn the attack and call for an immediate end to hostilities. Rice, who was in Israel, said she was saddened by the Qana air raid, but stopped well short of calling for an immediate ceasefire. Her mediation drive in tatters, Rice will leave for Washington on Monday to work on a U.N. resolution that could achieve what the White House called a "sustainable" ceasefire. "Our hopes are high that there will be a ceasefire. If the United States is serious, then it has the power to pressure Israel to stop. But to hear that the United States wants a ceasefire but can't stop Israel, then it means they are still giving them the green light (to continue with offensive)," said President Emile Lahoud. Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora said he would not hold negotiations before a ceasefire. "These aggressive, criminal acts full in the category of war crimes by all definition and a violation of international laws and human rights," said Lebanese Information Minister Ghazi Al-Aridi, following the cabinet meeting. Later in the day, peaceful protests were held including a candle-light vigil in the capital. In the latest development, Israel has agreed to suspend its aerial bombardment of southern Lebanon for 48 hours to allow for an investigation into the attack, according to a U.S. State Department spokesman speaking at a briefing in Jerusalem. He said Israeli authorities will also coordinate with the United Nations to allow a 24-hour window for residents in southern Lebanon to leave the area if they wish. At least 561 people have been killed in Lebanon, although the health minister estimated the toll at 750 including unrecovered bodies. Fifty-one Israelis have also been killed.

ITN Source | July 31, 2006

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