Caveman in Beirut is reporting that Beirut has seen large demonstrations today:
As of 1:45 pm, LBC reports that the crowd has swelled past the 200,000 mark – for those readers interested in statistics. I add my usual caveat that this number is neither accurate nor exhaustive – the actual number could be far greater. The important thing to remember is that this is happening in spite of extensive measures to prohibit protesters from reaching the site.
As additional reports come in from Lebanese bloggers I’ll update this post.
UPDATE: Juan Cole of Informed Comment reports the Lebanese government has resigned:
Futur television satellite news is reporting that the Lebanese government has resigned. For the last few days, I was watching the crowds assembled at Martyrs’ Square in Beirut (a place significant in the anticolonial struggle against the French), and noted the ineffectual attempt of [now former] Interior Minister Suleiman Frangieh to forbid the protests.
I just saw a speaker at the protests shout that the people are more powerful than the government, with everyone joyous at the fall of the government.
From Reuters:
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Lebanon’s Syrian-backed Prime Minister Omar Karami, under popular pressure after the assassination of an ex-prime minister, says his government is resigning.
“Out of concern that the government does not become an obstacle to the good of the country, I announce the resignation of the government I had the honour to lead,” Karami told parliament in Beirut on Monday.
Caveman in Beirut comments:
Prime Minister Omar Karami just did it – he resigned right in front of the Parliament after a lengthy speech introduction in which he complained of personal attacks in the local Lebanese media. Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri objected, saying that proper procedure required that Karami notify him first, but it looks like what’s done is done.
The government has fallen. And now the fun begins.
