Protests in Beirut turn violent

HAARETZ, Tel Aviv (10:14)--

A protest to commemorate the anniversary of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri's 2005 assasination has suddenly turned violent with clashes reported between the mourners and another concurrent protest, called by Hezbollah to express their anger at Imad Mughniyeh's recent killing.

It is not immediately clear what the cause of the clashes was, but it seems that the two groups tried to use Beirut's main square for the gathering at the same time. When it became clear that they backed different causes, isolated clashes broke out.

Figures on casualties have yet to be released. It would appear that the protest was broken up by Lebanese police forces, but that several officers may have been killed by Hezbollah supporters in the process.

The Lebanese Prime Minister's Office has issued a statement condeming the violence and calling for calm. "This protest by Hezbollah was not sanctioned by the government and we call on Hezbollah to refrain from inflaming tensions any further, especially on this [the] day of rememberance of our martyred Prime Minister Hariri."

Imad Mughniyeh was killed by a car bomb in Damascus on Wesdnesday. Thus far nobody has claimed responsibility, but it is believed that there was either Iranian or Syrian involvement.

Syrian foreign minister Walid al-Moualem said earlier today he will present "irrefutable" evidence of who was behind the killing. While he would not comment on specifics at the time, it is widely assumed that he will lay the blame on Israel's doorstep. At the news conference where his announcement was made, he made mention of Imad Mughniyeh having been "the target of lots of intelligence agencies" and further declared that the fighter's death had "assassinated all efforts for peace between Israel and Syria."

It is not known what the reaction to such an announcment would be, given Mughniyeh's status as virtually retired among militants. However, Hezbollah's protests today are an indication that the group intends to use the killing as a justification for further attacks against Israel.

It is also not clear whether the Lebanese political establishment will be targeted. Hezbollah has already made a declaration that "anyone who tries to stand in the way of Allah's wrath and defend the Zionists from our righteous retaliation will not go unpunished," possibly indicating it sees the Lebanese government as complicit.

Israeli military has had its alert status elevated. Northern border towns are advised to remain vigilant for possible Kassam rocket attacks. The Defence Minister will make an statement on the situation on Israeli Army Radio at 11:00 local time.