Cartoon Crisis Hits Beirut
Sunday 5th of February, thousands of angry Muslims launch a violent attack against the Danish Consulate in Beirut armed with wielding sticks and stones. What originally started as a “protest” – according to the organizers - rapidly “got out of hands”: the building holding the consulate was completely burnt down.
Object of the protest: the recent publication by a Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten of ironical cartoons illustrating Mohammed - a matter forbidden the religion of Islam. Earlier this week, the Danish government resolved not to prosecute the publishers of the newspaper invoking the freedom of the press.
Back to Beirut: the location of the consulate in Achrafieh, an almost exclusive Christian suburb of the Lebanese capital, seems to be at the origin of even more trouble: civilian property measured in Millions of dollars was destroyed. Cars including ambulances and police vehicles, shops, administration building and even a church were hit. Most importantly, the inhabitants remembered the days of the Lebanese civil war which opposed Muslim and Christian militias for nearly 20 years.
The security forces didn’t seem to be in control of the situation at first. However, after the deployment of hundred of Army personnel, the situation progressively got back in order. Several Lebanese politicians condemned the act – as they usually do – and appealed to a return of order. Others mentioned that this act was “dangerous” and that the responsible should be prosecuted. Prime Minister Fouad Siniora stated that “We do not accept any act that affects the security of others”.
Danish citizens residing in Lebanon were advised to leave the country as soon as possible since the situation got out of control. This was not the first time the Danish Foreign Ministry issues such a decision. Ever since the publication of the cartoons, numerous violent attacks were launched on Danish consulates and embassies worldwide: Damascus, Islamabad, Baghdad, Khartoum, Jakarta…
Photos (by AP)
Update 06/02/2006
- Interior Minister resigned.
- More than 200 suspects were arrested. More than 2/3 are not Lebanese nationals; foreign nationalities include Syrians, Palestinians and Bedouins.