Hezbollah accuses US of meddling in Lebanon crisis

BEIRUT: Lebanon marked 76 years of self-rule Friday, with protesters joining festivities nationwide instead of a military parade to mark what they say is a first year of "real independence". Christians and Muslims from across the political spectrum have for weeks marched together united in their rejection of a governing class they deem inept and corrupt. The youth-led movement has boosted a new cross-sectarian pride in the small Mediterranean nation that was torn by a bloody 1975-1990 civil war - a fresh sense of optimism that was on full display Friday.

"We're all here together to build a new Lebanon," said one reveller in the crowds in Beirut's central Martyrs' Square, Karl, a middle-aged cyclist with a national flag draped on his bicycle. As night fell, dance music boomed out from loudspeakers and thousands waved lighters, mobile phone torches and candles, while others lighted balloon lanterns and released them into the sky. Throughout the day, tens of thousands had massed across the country for outdoor festivities - the upbeat mood in stark contrast to the sober state ceremonies held in the morning. The street movement brought down the government last month, though a new cabinet has yet to be formed.

'Organic' independence

The demonstrations have brought together people from different religious and political backgrounds, who share the hope of sweeping out a system they say is broken and often unable to provide even basic services. "It's the first time Lebanese from all religious communities have protested en masse without a political party calling for it, and against all parties," said 21-year-old university student Tamara. "That's real independence - one that's organic".
In a sign of defiance on Friday, demonstrators in Beirut replaced an iconic symbol of the protests, less than 24 hours after it was burnt down by an unknown perpetrator. After dark, dozens of demonstrators in Martyrs' Square hauled into place the giant cutout of a clenched fist, inscribed with the word "revolution".

In the afternoon, huge crowds cheered on an alternative civil society parade representing various groups, from students and farm workers to scouts, hikers and bikers. A team celebrating nature clutched flowers and tree branches, while elsewhere women were clanging saucepans, as they have done every evening to protest against the government. And a troop of expatriates - the Lebanese diaspora being famously widespread - pushed suitcases in front of them.

About 600 Lebanese expatriates were expected to be travelling in, from the Gulf, Europe, North America and as far afield as Australia, to join the party. "I hope this independence day will be a turning point," said Leila, a woman carrying cymbals in both hands. "Our pockets are still empty but we've found a new dignity," she told AFP, before zipping back into the crowd.

Wajed, a 26-year-old activist, also said this year's independence day gave him fresh hope. "We want to emancipate ourselves from the corrupt people governing us," he said. A revised version of the national anthem is making the rounds online to pay tribute to Lebanese women, many of whom have played a central role in the protests. Two people have so far been killed during the protests, a far cry from the hundreds dead in similar demonstrations in Iraq.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah accused the United States of meddling in the formation of a new Lebanese government on Friday, its strongest accusation yet of US interference in Lebanon's political and economic crisis. As Lebanon grapples with the worst economic crisis since its 1975-90 civil war, Hezbollah deputy leader Sheikh Naim Kassem told Reuters he did not see signs of a new conflict. Hezbollah would not be dragged into strife, he said.

He also said the economic crisis which has spread to the banking system was hitting the Shiite group's followers along with everyone else in Lebanon. Hezbollah backed putting corrupt officials on trial "regardless of who they are", he added. The protests led Saad Al-Hariri to quit as prime minister on Oct 29, toppling a coalition government that included the heavily armed Hezbollah.
"The first obstruction in the formation of the government is America, because it wants a government that resembles it and we want a government that resembles the Lebanese people," Kassem said. The crisis would continue, he said, until foreign parties gave up on trying to achieve their goals. US officials had been in direct contact with Lebanese politicians and officials, he said. "Let them leave us alone so we can reach an understanding among ourselves. The more they intervene the more they delay the solution."

Though they hold a parliamentary majority, Shiite Hezbollah and allies including the Christian Free Patriotic Movement continue to seek a deal with Hariri over a government which they say should include both politicians and technocrats. Asked why Hezbollah and its allies had not opted to form a cabinet on their own, Kassem said the group preferred the prime minister be chosen through agreement with the main parties.

The position is reserved for a Sunni Muslim in Lebanon's sectarian power-sharing system. Hariri is Lebanon's leading Sunni. "There are continuous contacts between Hezbollah and Prime Minister Hariri to pick the prime minister," Kassem said. The United States has said it stands by protesters who are demanding reforms and an end to corruption, and that it is ready to work with a new government that can build a stable, prosperous and independent Lebanon.

Sources close to Hariri have said he is sticking by his demand for a cabinet of experts because he believes it would be best placed to secure international support and steer Lebanon out of crisis. Kassem said the first step towards dealing with the crisis would be the formation of a government which should start by implementing an emergency economic plan after amending it if necessary.

The causes of the crisis included by bad policies and corruption, he said. "We support the people 100 percent in putting the corrupt on trial," he said. "The corrupt must stand trial in Lebanon regardless of who they are … we support all measures that limit corruption and that recover looted wealth." The protests in Lebanon have been overwhelmingly peaceful despite occasional confrontations. "I do not see signs of a civil war in Lebanon. Hezbollah is determined not to fall into strife that America wants. But we have information of American attempts to create some security problems," he said. - Agencies