Tear Gas Fired at Demonstrators in Beirut

Tear Gas Fired at Demonstrators in Beirut

Staff and agencies
05 February, 2006



By ZEINA KARAM, 14 minutes ago

BEIRUT, Lebanon - Security forces fired tear gas Sunday at demonstrators protesting the publication of caricatures of Islam‘s revered prophet outside the Danish Embassy in Lebanon. At least seven people were injured.

Troops also fired bullets into the air and over the protesters‘ heads.

Witnesses said at least 7 injured protesters were carried away in ambulances.

The violence in Lebanon came a day after thousands of protesters in neighboring Syria set fire to the Danish and Norwegian embassies in the most violent of furious demonstrations by Muslims in Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

The drawings have touched a raw nerve in part because Islamic law is interpreted to forbid any depictions of the Prophet Muhammad.

"There is no god but God and Muhammad is the messenger of God!" they shouted as they tried to push past riot police to reach the embassy building.



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