,
Lebanon's political power struggle takes to the streets of Beirut on Friday with the opposition, led by the pro-Syrian militant group Hezbollah, seeking a mass turnout to force a change in the Western-backed cabinet and the government vowing not to be pressured.
In a capital which has seen hundreds of thousands take part in both pro- and anti-Syrian protests, the latest demonstration is by the pro-Syrian opposition to push for a national unity government.
Opposition factions had threatened to stage street protests last week, but postponed their plans after the November 21 assassination of anti-Syrian industry minister Pierre Gemayel, the sixth Damascus critic to be killed in the past two years.
His funeral saw hundreds of thousands of government supporters demonstrate two days later in an outpouring of anger at neighbouring Syria and its allies among the opposition, including Shiite Hezbollah.
Last year a massive show of street power after the February assassination of five-time premier and Damascus critic Rafiq Hariri led to Syria withdrawing its troops from Lebanon.
Shiite Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, whose political stock rose sharply after the resistance put up by his movement's fighters to Israel's devastating summer offensive, has called for a massive turnout.
“We appeal to all Lebanese, from every region and political movement, to take part in a peaceful and civilised demonstration on Friday to rid us of an incapable government that has failed in its mission,” he said in a television broadcast greeted with shots in the air in parts of the capital.
Prime Minister Fuad Siniora also went on television to vow late on Thursday that his cabinet would not be cowed. It would fight the return of any foreign tutelage on the country, he said, in an apparent reference to Syria's decades-long military domination to April 2005.
“The government of the independence… will continue to defend freedom and the democratic regime which are being targeted,” he said.
“We will not allow any coup against our democratic regime. We are determined to stay the course, as our government is legitimate and constitutional… and enjoys the confidence of parliament,” he added.
Communications Minister Marwan Hamadeh also vowed the government would not bow to pressure from the street.
“Neither the machinations of an illegitimate president kept in office by Syria nor the demonstrations of Hezbollah are going to topple us,” he said, referring to pro-Damascus President Emile Lahoud.
Lebanon's feuding pro- and anti-Syrian factions have reached a dangerous deadlock that threatens to paralyse all state institutions.
The key pro-Syrian officials in Lebanon's power-sharing regime — the president and the parliament speaker — do not recognize the rump anti-Damascus cabinet left after the pullout of six pro-Syrian ministers.
As well as Hezbollah, the opposition factions include the Shiite Amal party of parliament speaker Nabih Berri, the Christian faction of former prime minister Michel Aoun and supporters of the pro-Syrian president.
“The opposition forces, on the basis of their constitutional rights, call on all Lebanese, whatever their religious confession, to demonstrate peacefully in an open-ended sit-in from 3 pm (1300 GMT) on Friday for a national unity government,” said an opposition statement.
“The opposition forces appeal to demonstrators to brandish only the Lebanese flag and authorised slogans,” the statement added.
