BEIRUT, March 8, 2005 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – Chanting “Beirut is free, America out”, Hundreds of thousands of Lebanese – some said 1.5 million -- swarmed into central Beirut Tuesday, March 8, in response to calls by pro-Syria powers in Lebanon, raising slogans of “gratitude for Syria” and outright rejection of US-led international interference in Lebanese-Syrian affairs.

“We thank Syria and pray that Syria will remain the fortress of heroes and live in dignity. Long Live Syria’s Assad…Long live the Syrian people,” IslamOnline.net quoted Hizbullah Secretary General as addressing a sea of people, who gathered in Riyad Al-Solh square in central Beirut.

Nasrallah said in a defying tone that the Lebanese are gathering to make their voice heard worldwide and make sure that the majority of the Lebanese are totally against UN Security Council resolution 1559.

“We are against any Syrian pullout of Lebanon in contradiction with the [1989] Taif Agreement. Any violation of the agreement will be interpreted as a violation of the will of slain former premier Rafiq Al-Hariri,” he told a cheering crowd.

Lebanese security source told Reuters Tuesday that Syrian troops began redeploying to eastern Lebanon in the first stage of a two-phased withdrawal process from the country.

“We don’t see Syria as a mere military force, but it lies in the bottom of our hearts,” Nasrallah added.

“Beirut has been destroyed by [Israeli Prime Minister Ariel] Sharon and resurrected by [late Syrian president] Hafez Al-Assad. We can’t be ungrateful to Syria, whose soldiers had sacrificed themselves to protect Lebanon’s soil.”

Syrian forces are credited with helping to put an end to a 15-year-old civil war that tore Lebanon apart. Christian, Muslim and Druze militias fought each other in rounds of sectarian and inter-sectarian fighting. About 150,000 people were believed to have died.

Lebanese wave flags as they gather for the pro-Syria rally. (Reuters).

Nasrallah further called for forming the new Lebanese government as soon as possible.

“It should be a national unity government. We don’t need a one-sided government, but rather a government that lives up to the great expectations of the Lebanese.

“If the opposition rejected to enter into a coalition government, let’s then talk and talk and talk. National dialogue is the one and only answer.”

He went on: “Lebanon is neither Ukraine nor Somalia nor Georgia. Lebanon is Lebanon. Fool if you think that a few rallies, slogans or media can bring to an end the stability and security of this great nation.”

Nasrallah has also addressed French President Jacques Chirac, telling him: “We all know that you Mr. president love Lebanon, defend it and has visited Beirut several times. But it is high time you listened to the voice of the majority and stop backing resolution 1559.

“Aren’t those who have swarmed into central Beirut today Lebanese? Don’t you love them all?”

And Nasrallah reserved tough words to both the United States and Israel.

“I tell Bush, [his Secretary of State Condoleezza] Rice that they are wrong if they think that Lebanese will be pitted against each other. Lebanon will never die, Lebanon will never be defeated, Lebanon will remain Lebanon with its Arab identity,” he said, to cheers from hundreds of thousand of supporters.

“And I advise Sharon, Mofaz and Shalom to give up any hope or dreams about Lebanon. Our soldiers have paid the ultimate price and we are now much stronger than you think. Needless to say that the brave Palestinians have defeated you with bare hands,” he said.

A Lebanese woman shouts slogans and holds up a banner during the rally. (Reuters)

A sea of buses, pick-up trucks and cars were seen jamming highways leading to the capital to join the pro-Syria and anti-US rally, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).

“Thank you Syria, no to foreign interference,” read one banner in the Beirut square, which was decorated with the Lebanese red-and-white national flags.

“Israel listens to our voices: We will not compromise and will not sell our honor to the foreigner,” loudspeakers blared across the central Beirut square.

The march, which conjures up images of a historic funeral for former slain Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Al-Hariri, has indeed dwarfed anti-Syria rallies called by the Lebanese opposition last month.

Assad and his Lebanese counterpart Lahoud agreed Monday, March 8, to shift Syrian troops to eastern Lebanon this month. A statement said the Syrian and Lebanese military would then decide how long the Syrians stay.