Anti-Neocons

Police estimated its size at 800,000 people, but Hezbollah claimed it was larger, the Associated Press news agency said.

That's in a country with less than 4 million people in total population, meaning that it is at least 20% of the entire population which is incredible. That would be the equivalent of 60 million americans protesting bush, but i don't even think that many voted against him.

By Crispian Balmer

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Hundreds of thousands of flag-waving protesters flooded central Beirut on Sunday after a call by the Hezbollah-led opposition to step up their 10-day campaign to topple Lebanon's Western-backed government.

In a huge show of force, the chanting crowds swamped two squares in the heart of the capital and rivers of men, women and children poured through surrounding streets demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.

"Siniora out," demonstrators shouted. "Beirut is free," others yelled as possibly the biggest rally in Lebanon's history kicked off in bright sunshine. Giant loudspeakers blared out nationalist songs and drummers thudded a relentless beat.

The noise was clearly audible inside the nearby government headquarters where Siniora and most of his ministers are holed up. Armoured vehicles, rings of razor wire and hundreds of security forces guarded the former Ottoman fortress.

Opposition activists have paralysed the centre since Dec. 1 in a round-the-clock protest aimed at forcing Siniora and his Sunni-backed majority to form a government of national unity.

There were no official estimates of the crowd size on Sunday but one security source said it was the largest such gathering ever seen in Lebanon. Opposition sources said the crowd was 2 million strong -- roughly half Lebanon's population.
Speakers told the throngs that the government was in the thrall of the United States, repeating accusations that Siniora's allies had hoped Israel would crush the Shi'ite militant group Hezbollah in its recent war with Israel.

"I tell you that after the (Israeli) aggression ... there is no place for America in Lebanon," said Hezbollah deputy chief Sheikh Naim Kassem, speaking behind bullet proof-glass.

The crowd responded: "Death to America, death to Israel, long live a dignified Lebanon."

COUP THREAT

Siniora has accused Hezbollah of trying to stage a coup following its war and commentators have warned the worsening stand-off could degenerate into widespread violence in a country that is still trying to rebuild after a 1975-90 civil war.

One Shi'ite protester has been killed and several people hurt in shooting incidents, riots and clashes between supporters of both sides over the past week.

The prime minister told a conference on Sunday the future of Lebanon was at stake, but said the country's democracy was strong enough to absorb the shock of the protests.

"This challenge covers the vision of Lebanon's future, the future of its system and its place in the region and the world."

Underlining the political passions at play, thousands of pro-government supporters staged a rally on Sunday in the Sunni city of Tripoli in northern Lebanon.

Pope Benedict called on Lebanon on Sunday to back away from political crisis and asked the international community to help find urgent, peaceful solutions at this "grave moment".

The pro-Syrian Hezbollah and its allies, who include a populist Christian party, want veto power in a new government and say if the demand is not met they will seek early elections.

"(Siniora), hold a news conference tonight or tomorrow, no rush, and announce your resignation as a gesture to preserve the unity of the Lebanese people and rejection of foreign tutelage," Kassem said, addressing a sea of red and white Lebanese flags.

Siniora's supporters say Hezbollah simply wants to derail plans to set up an international tribunal to try suspects in the 2005 assassination of former prime minister Rafik al-Hariri, which many Lebanese blame on Syria -- a charge Damascus denies.

(Additional reporting by Nadim Ladki)