Protesters Camp in Beirut

[Christina]

Protesters set up camp in Beirut Demonstrations are continuing for a second day in Beirut to try to force the Lebanese government to resign. Hundreds of protesters, including activists from Hezbollah and its pro-Syrian allies, are camped outside Prime Minister Fouad Siniora's offices. Mr Siniora, who is there with his ministers, is refusing to step down. The UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett met Mr Siniora to express support for his government, rocked by resignations and a minister's murder. The death or resignation of two more cabinet ministers would bring the government down. Friday saw a mass protest in central Beirut, led by Hezbollah supporters who accuse Mr Siniora of being too pro-Western and anti-Syrian and of failing the Lebanese people. Hundreds of demonstrators then stayed to pitch tents on streets leading to the government's headquarters. The BBC's Jon Leyne says it was the first of what could be many long nights as the demonstrators have vowed to stay until Mr Siniora's government resigns. It is all very similar to the protests that brought Mr Siniora to power 18 months ago and curtailed Syrian influence in Lebanon, our correspondent says. The demonstrators brought water pipes, small radios and even musical instruments for entertainment. Moments after waking on Saturday morning, they resumed chanting slogans against Mr Siniora and his government. "We will stay here until the fall of the government which is under the tutelage of the United States," one protester, Nadia Assaf, told the French news agency, AFP. "We do not want any tutelage over Lebanon, not Syrian, not Iranian, not Western." 'Intimidation' Soldiers cordoned off the government office complex with barbed wire and armoured vehicles. Mr Siniora has said he will not be forced from office by mass protests and has vowed to stand firm against what he has called an attempted coup.

 

[Christina]

Anyone see the nations aligning here?