Thousands of Hezbollah supporters protest

Thousands of protesters from Hezbollah and its pro-Syrian opposition allies descended on downtown Beirut Friday to force the resignation of Lebanon's Western-backed prime minister, who was holed up in his office ringed by hundreds of police and combat troops.

The Shiite Muslim Hezbollah and its allies have mobilized their bases for the afternoon protest and had arranged to bus supporters from all corners of Lebanon to downtown Beirut for the massive show of popular support. Thousands carrying Lebanese flags arrived at Riad Solh Square by midday, hours before the demonstration was set to begin.

"Saniora Out!" "We want a free government!" protesters shouted through loudspeakers. The crowd roared in approval amid the deafening sound of Hezbollah revolutionary and nationalist songs. "We want a clean government," read one placard, in what has become the opposition's motto.