LEBANON: Residents of Beirut celebrate independence day by holding a rally in the city's Martyr's Square

Residents of Beirut celebrate independence day by holding a rally in the city's Martyr's Square, which for many is a symbol of Lebanon's independence. Lebanon marked its independence day on Thursday (November 22) gripped by anxiety about the failure so far of rival political camps and a slew of foreign mediators to clinch agreement on a new president and avert possible violence. The latest political stalemate comes ahead of a parliamentary vote due on Friday (November 23), the last day of pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud's term. The election, first slated for Sept. 25, has already been put off four times. If the assembly again fails to meet, a constitutional abyss would yawn before Lebanon, already mired in its worst political crisis since the 1975-90 civil war. Troops and police tightened security in Beirut ahead of the parliamentary session. There was no military parade or other events to mark the 64th anniversary of Lebanon's independence. Schools and shops were closed and the highways were abandoned by traffic. Despite the bleak outlook, tens of Lebanese gathered around in Beirut's Martyr's Square to send a message of solidarity and brotherhood. Activists belonging to civil society group called "Farah al Ata'a", which means the joy of giving, carried banners and flags and sang national songs to commemorate Lebanon's 64th anniversary of independence from French control. The crisis in Lebanon has raised fears among many Lebanese of a return to civil war. "Enough of what's going on in Lebanon, we have to look back at our history and to unite under the Lebanese flag," said one activist Mohammed. "Many Lebanese have come here because they are neither with the opposition nor with the pro-government coalition. They have come down to say 'yes' to Lebanon and only Lebanon," he added. The opposition has said it will not go to parliament unless there is agreement on a single candidate, who must be a Maronite Christian according to Lebanon's sectarian power-sharing system. The ruling coalition holds only a slim majority and the opposition says the vote requires two-thirds of the MPs. "The idea to give and show love. We are calling on all the Lebanese people to come together as one hand and to show the world that Lebanon is full of love," said another activist, Abdul Karim, who celebrating independence day at Martyrs square. If no president is elected, the outgoing Lahoud has vowed to take unspecified measures to guarantee Lebanon's unity. These could include handing power to the army, rather than to the existing government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora. Lahoud and the opposition say Siniora's government lost its legitimacy when all its Shi'ite ministers resigned last year. The majority bloc says Siniora's government would automatically take over presidential powers until a new head of state can be elected. Some of its members favour using their majority to pick a president in the absence of a consensus.

ITN Source | November 23, 2007

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