BEIRUT, Lebanon, April 12 (UPI) -- Thousands of demonstrators clashed Friday with Lebanese police forces when they tried to force their way in front of the U.S. embassy to denounce U.S. State Secretary Colin Powell's tour in the region.
Witnesses told United Press International more than 3,000 Palestinian and Lebanese demonstrators first marched peacefully to the U.S. Embassy neighborhood of Awkar, north of Beirut. They were stopped from reaching the embassy by two lines of barbed wire and roadblocks erected by police forces.
Protesters turned angry, removing the barbed wire, setting Israeli and U.S. flags on fire and throwing stones at anti-riot police.
"Within five minutes, the protest which began peacefully turned into a battle," one witness said. Police forces tried to disperse the protesters by using tear gas and showering them with water.
Witness said about 60 protesters were injured by stones or tear gas. Four policemen, including an officer, were also hurt.
Demonstrators were forced to disperse when security forces sent an additional 500 police to the area.
Similar but peaceful protests were staged in front of a United Nations house in Beirut, where protesters shouted, "death to (Israeli Prime Minister Ariel) Sharon and shame on the U.S."
Thursday night, unidentified men tore up a Pizza Hut restaurant sign in the southern port city of Sidon. Restaurant owner Hassan Hamdan said the attack could be part of "calls to hit U.S. interests" in the region to denounce Washington's support of Israel.
Meanwhile, visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said U.S. policies were "not clear and not honest, otherwise it would have forced Israel to stop its aggressions and criminal actions."
Kharrazi, who met Lebanese officials and Hezbollah Chief Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut before heading to Damascus for talks with Syrian President Bashar Assad, said Palestinians have no other option but "to pursue their resistance."
Kharrazi emphasized the need for Islamic countries to adopt tangible and practical steps, including severing economic and political ties with Israel.
Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri said the Israeli military offensive in the Palestinian territories and the siege on Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat were meant to "humiliate the Arabs and Muslims."
