Despite a ban on protesting, the Lebanese continue to take to the street demanding an end to Syria’s illegal 30 year occupation of their country.
Lebanese opposition supporters have held a rally in Beirut demanding the resignation of the government, in defiance of a ban on demonstrations.
About 10,000 protesters – many of whom waved Lebanese flags – also called on Syria to withdraw from Lebanon.
The demonstrators blame the government and its Syrian backers for the recent killing of former PM Rafik Hariri.
The rally comes as parliament meets to discuss an opposition-sponsored motion of no-confidence in the cabinet.
MPs observed a minute’s silence in memory of Hariri as the debate began on Monday.
Prime Minister Omar Karami – who took office after Hariri resigned in last year – said those who accused his government of responsibility in the killing committed a “grave injustice”.
Outside parliament opposition supporters called on the cabinet to stand down and chanted: “We want no other army in Lebanon except the Lebanese army!”
Opposition leader Akram Shehayeb urged soldiers nearby to join the rally.
The protestors had spent the night on Martyrs Square wrapped in blankets or under tents, before the ban on demonstration came into force at 0500 (0300 GMT).
Army checkpoints on roads into Beirut turned away cars and buses carrying people into the city.
But there have been no reports of soldiers taking any action against the protestors who were already in the city centre.
Meanwhile, Israel is now ready to prove that the Syrian government gave the orders for the recent Tel Aviv bombing that killed five people and wounded more than 30 others.
Israel says it will explain to foreign diplomats why it believes Syria was responsible for Friday’s suicide bomb in Tel Aviv that killed four people.
Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom is to meet ambassadors on Monday, and reports say he will provide proof from military intelligence of Syria’s involvement.
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said the Palestinians must stop militants.
On Saturday, Islamic Jihad militants in Damascus said they staged the attack but Syria denies any involvement.
Israel’s foreign ministry said Mr Shalom had summoned ambassadors from the European Union and member states of the UN Security Council to Monday’s meeting.
The move comes after Israeli security officials said on Saturday that the government would launch a diplomatic effort in the hope of persuading the UN to condemn Syria for the bombing.
But Syrian Foreign Minister’s Farouk al-Shara repeated strong denials that Syria was involved.
He described Israel’s accusation as “baseless” and added that he could not rule out “Israeli fingers” being involved in the blast.
Mr Sharon told his cabinet on Sunday that peace efforts would be halted unless the Palestinian Authority acted against Islamic Jihad, who he said had carried out the bombing on the orders of its leaders in Syria.
If no action was taken, “Israel will have to step up its military activities that are aimed at protecting the lives of Israeli citizens”, Mr Sharon said.
