Lebanese Activists Back Syria Protesters
More than 100 Lebanese activists, journalists and intellectuals signed a petition on Tuesday in solidarity with protesters in Syria, Beirut's former military and political power broker.
"We the undersigned... condemn the oppression of the Syrian people... and declare our solidarity with them in their battle to regain their freedom and dignity," read the petition, a copy of which was obtained by Agence France Presse.
It also demanded an end to Syrian authorities' "use of force against its own people" and said the state should be held accountable for its "massacres."
Among the 125 signatories are Fares Soueid and Samir Franjieh.
The rest of the signatories included journalists and activists known for their staunch stances against the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad.
The Syrian protests have emerged as the latest point of contention between the two rival camps, led by Hariri and Hizbullah respectively.
Hariri's pro-Western camp has not yet clearly announced a position on the recent events in Syria, where protests against Assad are turning increasingly deadly as authorities crack down on demonstrators across the country.
Hizbullah, which is backed by Syria and Iran, has come out in support of Assad.
Syria, meanwhile, has accused Lebanese parties, including Hariri's alliance, of funding and arming anti-regime protesters. Hariri's camp denied the allegations.
Source: Agence France Presse
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