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Beirut : Lebanon's opposition will extend a protest campaign launched on Wednesday in Beirut until the US-backed government retracts decisions aimed against pro-Iranian Hezbollah, an opposition source said.
"What is happening today is the start of a disobedience [campaign]. Roads will remain closed, including those leading to the airport, until the government rescinds its decisions," the source said.
The cabinet decided on Tuesday to take measures against Hezbollah's private telecommunications network and dismissed the head of the airport security for allegedly allowing the group to install spy cameras at the facility.
Government minister Marwan Hamadeh said Hezbollah was "trying to use military means to block the airport". "Lebanon has said it will not become an Iranian satellite," he told Reuters.
Soldiers, many dressed in riot gear, were deployed in force throughout the Lebanese capital where protesters burned tyres and overturned garbage bins in the streets barring traffic from passing through.
"This is not an economic protest. This is an attempt to overthrow the government," said Osman, 27, a supporter of the government.
Opposition protestors painted a different picture.
"The prices are too high. We can't make a living and need to take a stand," said Ali, 21. "They [the majority] get more money than we do." His friend Hussain, 19, said: "The bottom line is we're waiting for the fight."
Hezbollah's Al Manar television reported that the protesters planned to set up tents along the airport road to push the government to back down on its decisions.
A government official who did not want to be named blasted Hezbollah's actions saying they amounted to an attempt to overthrow the government.
Demonstration cancelled
"What is happening has nothing to do with civil disobedience. We are talking about armed disobedience by Hezbollah which wants to take over power," he charged.
He added that the government had reports that Hezbollah was busing in armed fighters to the downtown Beirut area, just outside the government headquarters, where the opposition has set up a tent city and been holding a sit-in since December 2006.
Many schools and businesses stayed shut in the capital yesterday and the city's streets were largely deserted, apart from the protesters.
A demonstration due to be held by labour workers over price increases and wage demands was cancelled as few people were able to reach the main gathering point. The industrial action, backed by the opposition, was called by the General Confederation of Labour Unions to press the government to raise the monthly minimum wage which had been unchanged since 1996.
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