"Day of Rage" protesters burn news truck

Violence broke out in Lebanon as thousands of supporters of acting PM Saad Hariri gathered in Tripoli for what they had called a peaceful "day of rage" protest. Demonstrators attacked a truck belonging to the Al Jazeera news channel and set it on fire. Protesters also burned pictures of former prime minister Najib Mikati, a Hezbollah-backed candidate who is set to be nominated Tuesday to replace Mr. Hariri. "Day of Rage" protesters burn news truck Mr. Mikati appears to have the backing of 65 members of the 128-seat legislature, after the Shi'ite militant group and its allies threw their support behind him. On Monday, Sunni lawmakers accused Hezbollah of carrying out a "coup" aimed at forcing an Iranian form of religious government on the Lebanese people. The development comes shortly after Mr. Hariri said he will not participate in any new government led by a Hezbollah-backed candidate. U.S. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said Washington is monitoring developments in Beirut. But Crowley added that a bigger role for Hezbollah could complicate diplomatic ties and impact ongoing U.S. aid. Some pro-Hariri demonstrators angry about the recent developments have used burning tires to block roads leading into and out of the capital, Beirut. Earlier this month, Hezbollah and its allies resigned from the coalition government of Prime Minister Hariri, causing it to collapse. The resignations followed tensions over a U.N.-backed investigation into the 2005 assassination of former prime minister Rafiq Hariri, the father of the interim prime minister. Media reports have indicated the tribunal will indict Hezbollah members, but the group denies having had a role in the attack. Hezbollah's leader said Sunday the group will seek a partnership government if its candidate wins a parliamentary majority. Hassan Nasrallah also said his group does not want to exclude any political party from the next government's Cabinet.

"Day of Rage" protesters burn news truck

Mr. Mikati appears to have the backing of 65 members of the 128-seat legislature, after the Shi'ite militant group and its allies threw their support behind him.

On Monday, Sunni lawmakers accused Hezbollah of carrying out a "coup" aimed at forcing an Iranian form of religious government on the Lebanese people.

The development comes shortly after Mr. Hariri said he will not participate in any new government led by a Hezbollah-backed candidate.

U.S. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said Washington is monitoring developments in Beirut. But Crowley added that a bigger role for Hezbollah could complicate diplomatic ties and impact ongoing U.S. aid.

Some pro-Hariri demonstrators angry about the recent developments have used burning tires to block roads leading into and out of the capital, Beirut.

Earlier this month, Hezbollah and its allies resigned from the coalition government of Prime Minister Hariri, causing it to collapse.

The resignations followed tensions over a U.N.-backed investigation into the 2005 assassination of former prime minister Rafiq Hariri, the father of the interim prime minister. Media reports have indicated the tribunal will indict Hezbollah members, but the group denies having had a role in the attack.

Hezbollah's leader said Sunday the group will seek a partnership government if its candidate wins a parliamentary majority.

Hassan Nasrallah also said his group does not want to exclude any political party from the next government's Cabinet.