Beirut: Hundreds of angry protesters burned tyres and blocked roads across Lebanon yesterday after an opposition-backed candidate was appointed to lead the next government.
The nomination of Najeeb Mikati as prime minister, endorsed by President Michel Sulaiman, is seen as a victory for Hezbollah, which secured the parliamentary votes needed to wrest control of the Lebanese government.
The protesters turned out in many cities in support of former prime minister Sa'ad Hariri, whose government was ousted this month.
The protests were part of a "day of anger" called by Hariri loyalists.
Mikati, a telecom tycoon who has portrayed himself as a consensus candidate, said he would start talks to form a government tomorrow. "All Lebanese leaders should cooperate together to face the current challenges," he said.
Tripoli violence
The biggest protest took place in the northern city of Tripoli where 20 people were reported injured and protesters set fire to an outdoor broadcast van used by news channel Al Jazeera.
Hariri appealed for calm, saying he rejected demonstrations of violence. "You are angry but you are responsible people. I understand your feelings," Hariri told supporters in a tele-vised speech. "This anger should not lead us to what disagrees with our values ... our belief that democracy is our refuge."
In Beirut, protesters blocked a road with burning tyres. A security source said shots were fired in the air and the army intervened, but no one was hurt.
Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah yesterday urged Mikati to form a national partnership government. "We have supported the nomination of ... Mikati and we call on him to form a national partnership government. The Lebanese have a chance to close ranks," he said.
