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The
American embassy has been shredding documents. I am sure there is a
lot they wouldn't want to see the light of day
'Don't insult our Prophet!' Over 100,000 march in Beirut protest
Biggest-ever
rally over an anti-Islamic film has brought scores to Beirut,
Lebanon, following a call for mass demonstrations by Hezbollah chief
Hassan Nasrallah.
RT,
17
September, 2012
Most of the
demonstrators were wearing green and yellow headbands, indicating
membership in Hezbollah. The official number of participants is yet
to be released, but has been estimated based on video and photos to
be over a hundred thousand people.
"America,
hear us – don't insult our Prophet," the protesters were
chanting. The rally was split into two columns, with women marching
separately from men. Some were holding portraits of Syrian President
Bashar al-Assad.
Sporadic
shouts of "Death to Israel" and "America is the
biggest devil" could also be heard from the crowd, as RT's Lucy
Kafanov reported from the scene. A protester, nevertheless, told RT
that the demonstrators' anger is not with the American people, but
with the US government for allowing the film to spread.
The crowd
swelling, Hassan Nasrallah in person addressed the gathering. In his
rare public appearance, Nasrallah announced the beginning of a global
campaign to halt the screening and sharing of the provocative film
‘Innocence of Muslims.’ He stressed that the world does not
understand Muslims’ deep reverence for the Prophet Muhammad.
"This
is the start of a serious movement that must continue all over the
Muslim world in defense of the prophet of God," he said to roars
of support. "As long as there's blood in us, we will not remain
silent over insults against our Prophet."
"Prophet
of God, we offer ourselves, our blood and our kin for the sake of
your dignity and honor," said Nasrallah.
The
Lebanese political leader also called on the international community
to criminalize insults to Islam as well as Christianity and Judaism.
“The US
must understand that releasing the entire film will have very
dangerous repercussions around the world,” Nasrallah said,
according to Press-TV. He urged for the movie’s creators to be
punished appropriately.
Monday was
Nasrallah's fifth public appearance in six years, and the first time
he made a full speech in person to thousands of his supporters since
2008.
Nasrallah has been in hiding since 2006 when Hezbollah fought a month-long war with Israel.
Nasrallah has been in hiding since 2006 when Hezbollah fought a month-long war with Israel.
Nasrallah
first called for widespread nonviolent protests on Sunday. The US
must be held accountable for the film because it was produced in
America, he said.
US
Embassy in Beirut destroying classified docs – report
Though the
rally in Beirut stayed well away from the US embassy there, reports
suggest that the American mission in Lebanon has started to destroy
classified material as a security precaution.
The Beirut
embassy had “reviewed its emergency procedures and is beginning to
destroy classified holdings,” says a State Department status report
obtained by the Associated Press.
In
Washington, officials said there was no immediate threat to the
embassy. The decision to “reduce classified holdings” was routine
under such circumstances and made by the embassy staff themselves,
they added.
Earlier
Monday, the State Department once again warned US citizens to avoid
travel to Lebanon since the potential for a “spontaneous upsurge in
violence remains” in the country, while Lebanese authorities are
not able to guarantee protection.
The amateur
film ‘Innocence of Muslims’ sparked outrage across the Middle
East, North Africa and Asia last week. Many Muslims were infuriated
by a clip of the film posted to YouTube that mocked Islam's Prophet
Muhammad. In protests which followed across the world, several people
have been killed and dozens were arrested as angry crowds vented
their anger in front of the US embassies and consulate services.
See also - US diplomats at Beirut embassy destroy classified documents amid anti-American protests
See also - US diplomats at Beirut embassy destroy classified documents amid anti-American protests
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