NICOSIA Ñ Lebanese dissidents launched a new campaign against
the
Syrian military in their country during the visit by French President Jacques
Chirac.
Hundreds of Lebanese students clashed with security forces last week
during the summit by 55 French-speaking nations in Beirut. The students
called for the expulsion of an estimated 25,000 Syrian troops and the end of
the Syrian domination of Lebanon, Middle East Newsline reported.
Lebanese plainclothes and uniformed officers stormed a sit-in by
students and other dissidents on the campus of Saint Joseph University in
the Beirut-based suburb of Ashrafieh. The officers also stopped the students
from marching to a hotel where delegates at the conference were staying.
At one point, the students, chanting "freedom, sovereignty,
independence" threw stones at Lebanese anti-riot police, who beat the
demonstrators with rifle butts. Eight demonstrators were detained and at
least 10 students and one policeman were injured.
A Lebanese police statement said authorities would not tolerate
"attempts to
tarnish Lebanon's image as a civilized country."
Anti-Syrian protesters also entered the French embassy in Beirut and
began screaming "Syrians out" and "Yes to
Francophonization. No to Syrianization." Embassy security officers appealed
to the protesters to leave peacefully and pledged that they would not be
arrested.
For his part, Chirac called for a Middle East peace settlemement that
will ensure the withdrawal of Syrian forces from Lebanon. He also called on
Lebanon to participate in the war against terrorism.
"The fight against terrorism will be without mercy," Chirac said on
Saturday. "But it should be conducted with respect to human rights and the
rule of law. The war on terrorism cannot be limited to the repressive
action."
The Francophone conference was attended by Hizbullah chief Hassan
Nasrallah. Nasrallah sat several meters away from Canadian Prime Minister
Jean Chretien. Chretien later said he did not recognize Nasrallah.
In Damascus, Iran and Syria discussed intelligence and security
cooperation during the visit by Iranian Intelligence Minister Ali Yunesi to
Damascus. Iran has several hundred agents and military personnel in
Lebanon's Bekaa Valley.
