Beirut Arab University shooting
Encyclopedia
The Beirut Arab University shooting happened on January 25, 2007 in the Beirut Arab University
in the Lebanese capital.
Opposition backers said gunmen fired from apartment balconies near the school, wounding several people. Students said the clashes began with a scuffle in the cafeteria of Beirut Arab University and degenerated into a melee as youths in the surrounding Tarik el-Jadideh district moved in.
They threw rocks, set fire to tires to block traffic, torched cars and smashed windshields amid the rattle of gunshots as troops fired into the air to try to disperse the crowds. There were reports of gunfire and pictures showed masked men holding guns and assault-rifles.
"I call upon the Lebanese to cooperate with the Lebanese army in all districts to end the tension in this hard and painful hour for all the Lebanese," Nasrallah said in a broadcast audio message.
"I appeal to you in the name of Lebanon and human conscience. It's a pity to waste Lebanon like this, said Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri
. "It is time we learn from the past.
Parliament majority leader Saad al-Hariri urged his loyalists to show restraint.
"I call on everyone to return to the voice of reason," said Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, speaking from Paris where he was at an aid conference.
US ambassador Jeffrey Feltman was quick to point the finger at Syria
.
"History has shown that outside powers like Syria have done it before. And I can't give you solid evidence, but one can certainly make a pretty strong case that it's Syria's hands at work again," he said on US-funded Al-Hurra television.
MP Walid Jumblatt
of the parliamentary majority added voice to Feltman's accusation, saying the fighting was triggered by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad
.
before being attacked by assailants. The attack sparked violence in which three people were killed and 176 wounded.
The general strike intensified a street campaign that began on Dec. 1 when opposition supporters began camping out near Siniora's offices in downtown Beirut
.
They are backing demands for the Western
-backed government to give in to the formation of a government of national unity and early parliamentary elections or quit.
Siniora and his main backer, parliamentary majority leader Hariri, have refused to give in to the demands.
http://www.manartv.com.lb/NewsSite/NewsDetails.aspx?id=10116. Retrieved January 27, 2007.,
Beirut Arab University
Beirut Arab University is a private international accredited university located in Beirut, Lebanon. It was founded by the Lebanese El-Bir and Ihsan Society in 1960...
in the Lebanese capital.
Incident
Four people were shot dead in clashes between pro- and anti-government activists on Thursday and about 200 were hurt in the violence that flared after a scuffle between students at a Beirut university.The opposition accused the government camp of starting the riots and the four dead included two Hezbollah students, who were fired at from rooftops.Opposition backers said gunmen fired from apartment balconies near the school, wounding several people. Students said the clashes began with a scuffle in the cafeteria of Beirut Arab University and degenerated into a melee as youths in the surrounding Tarik el-Jadideh district moved in.
They threw rocks, set fire to tires to block traffic, torched cars and smashed windshields amid the rattle of gunshots as troops fired into the air to try to disperse the crowds. There were reports of gunfire and pictures showed masked men holding guns and assault-rifles.
Response
Hezbollah secretary general Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah went on TV in the evening to tell followers it was a "religious duty to get off the streets to allow security forces to keep order."I call upon the Lebanese to cooperate with the Lebanese army in all districts to end the tension in this hard and painful hour for all the Lebanese," Nasrallah said in a broadcast audio message.
"I appeal to you in the name of Lebanon and human conscience. It's a pity to waste Lebanon like this, said Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri
Nabih Berri
Nabih Berri is the Speaker of the Parliament of Lebanon. He heads the mostly Shi'a Amal Movement.-Biography:He was born in Bo, Sierra Leone to Lebanese parents. He went to school in Tebnine and Ain Ebel in southern Lebanon and later studied at the Makassed and the Ecole de la Sagesse in Beirut...
. "It is time we learn from the past.
Parliament majority leader Saad al-Hariri urged his loyalists to show restraint.
"I call on everyone to return to the voice of reason," said Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, speaking from Paris where he was at an aid conference.
US ambassador Jeffrey Feltman was quick to point the finger at Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
.
"History has shown that outside powers like Syria have done it before. And I can't give you solid evidence, but one can certainly make a pretty strong case that it's Syria's hands at work again," he said on US-funded Al-Hurra television.
MP Walid Jumblatt
Walid Jumblatt
Walid Jumblatt is a Lebanese politician and the current leader of the Progressive Socialist Party . He is the most prominent leader of Lebanon's Druze community.-Family:...
of the parliamentary majority added voice to Feltman's accusation, saying the fighting was triggered by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad
Bashar al-Assad
Bashar al-Assad is the President of Syria and Regional Secretary of the Ba'ath Party. His father Hafez al-Assad ruled Syria for 29 years until his death in 2000. Al-Assad was elected in 2000, re-elected in 2007, unopposed each time.- Early Life :...
.
Context
The opposition launched nationwide protests on Tuesday which shut down much of LebanonLebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
before being attacked by assailants. The attack sparked violence in which three people were killed and 176 wounded.
The general strike intensified a street campaign that began on Dec. 1 when opposition supporters began camping out near Siniora's offices in downtown Beirut
Beirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
.
They are backing demands for the Western
Western world
The Western world, also known as the West and the Occident , is a term referring to the countries of Western Europe , the countries of the Americas, as well all countries of Northern and Central Europe, Australia and New Zealand...
-backed government to give in to the formation of a government of national unity and early parliamentary elections or quit.
Siniora and his main backer, parliamentary majority leader Hariri, have refused to give in to the demands.
http://www.manartv.com.lb/NewsSite/NewsDetails.aspx?id=10116. Retrieved January 27, 2007.,