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Protesters pledge to drive Syrian forces from Lebanon
By Andre Paine, Evening Standard Last updated at 00:00am on 01.03.05Jubilant opposition supporters in Lebanon have vowed to carry on with their protest in Beirut in a bid to drive Syrian forces from the country after the collapse of the Damascus-backed government.
The pro-Syrian government of prime minister Omar Karami resigned yesterday after two weeks of protests, piling more pressure on Damascus, already under fire from the United States and Israel.
Thousands of demonstrators in Beirut celebrated as the government unexpectedly quit after a parliamentary debate on the killing of former prime minister Rafik al-Hariri. Many are also demanding the resignation of Lebanon's Syrianbacked president Emile Lahoud.
Syria plays a dominant role in Lebanon and maintains 14,000 troops there. Protesters have gathered in Beirut's central Martyrs' Square since Mr Hariri's assassination on 14 February to demand the troops' withdrawal.
