Once it starts, it’s unstoppable. The tyranical regimes and terrorists of the middle east are going to go down thanks to U.S. President George Bush and his message—and actions—of freedom and democracy. The Lebanese are marching in the streets right now demanding that the Baath Party regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad get their troops and henchmen out of their country, and that the Syrian-backed puppet regime in Lebanon go with them. President Bush is in France right now demanding that Syria withdraw from Lebanon, as he and others have done before.
Coincidentally, Syria announced that they will withdraw troops from Lebanon. That scratches the surface.
BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNN)—Chanting “Syria out,” thousands of people packed the streets of Beirut to protest the presence Syrian forces in Lebanon—and the influence they believe Syria has on the Lebanese government.
They had the support of President George W. Bush who, at a speech in Brussels Monday, called on Syria to “end its occupation of Lebanon.”
“The Lebanese people have the right to be free, and the United States and Europe share an interest in a democratic, independent Lebanon,” he said.
Also Monday, Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa said Syria will “soon” take steps to withdraw its army from Lebanese areas in accordance with a 1989 agreement, but it was not clear whether that meant Syria would completely leave Lebanon as demanded by the international community.
The announcement came after a meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad. (Full story)
Monday’s protest in Beirut followed the assassination last week of former prime minister Rafik Hariri in an explosion.
The opposition, which includes members of numerous political and ethnic groups, has openly accused Syria of involvement in Hariri’s death, an accusation both Syria—and the pro-Syria Lebanese government—have denied.
A popular politician and construction industry billionaire, Hariri, 60, had resigned as prime minister in October, after the parliament decided to extend the term of pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud for three more years.
Syrian cabinet minister Boutheina Shaaban told CNN from Damascus the assassination was “deeply against the interests of Syria.” And she appeared to suggest the United States had some involvement.
“I don’t like to point the finger at anyone,” she said, ” … but we see it as part of destabilizing the entire region in the name of bringing democracy and freedom.” […]
PTBC was founded by Mr. Johannesen in 2000.
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