Clash Erupts as Anti, Pro-Assad Protesters Stage Rival Demos in Hamra
A clash erupted Thursday outside the Syrian embassy in Beirut’s Hamra district between protesters belonging to the Jamaa Islamiya and supporters of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, state-run National News Agency reported.
“A number of citizens had called for a rally outside the embassy’s building at 6:30 pm in solidarity with the Syrian people,” NNA added, noting that security forces immediately intervened to break up the brawl.
Following the fistfight, police commandos and army troops formed a human wall to prevent further clashes between the two sides, as more demonstrators arrived on the scene, NNA said.
Meanwhile, MTV said the pro-Assad demo was organized by members of the Baath Party and the Syrian Social National Party, noting that some demonstrators were carrying Hizbullah flags.
“Some demonstrators are carrying hidden batons on them in order to use them in possible rioting,” MTV added.
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