Huge Beirut protest backs Syria
Hundreds of thousands of people have gathered in Lebanon's capital, Beirut, to applaud Syria's role in the country and reject Western "interference".
"We are here to thank Syria which has stayed by our side for many years," the head of the Syrian-allied Hezbollah group told cheering supporters.
The crowd dwarfed previous opposition protests urging Syrian troops to leave.
In a speech in Washington, President George W Bush reiterated US demands for complete Syrian withdrawal.
The Beirut rally was organised by Hezbollah, a powerful political and military organisation of Shia Muslims, the largest religious minority in Lebanon.
Hezbollah officials handed out Lebanese flags and directed the men and women to separate sections, but the crowds were so large they spilled out of Riad al-Solh Square into surrounding streets.
I came here today to say no to international intervention, the US, France and Israel - I came to thank Syria
Pro-Syrian demonstrator
The group's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, said there would be further demonstrations in other Lebanese towns including Tripoli in the north, Nabatiya in the south and in the eastern Bekaa valley.
He also warned the US military not to interfere in Lebanon, saying: "If the American fleet lands in Lebanon, it will be defeated."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4329201.stm