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Riots in Lebanon as Hezbollah secures leadership
Street protests, some of which turned violent, erupted across Lebanon Tuesday as a majority of lawmakers voted to nominate Najib Mikati, the Hezbollah-backed candidate for prime minister, to lead the country's new government.
The success of the Hezbollah candidate is the culmination of decades of political maneuvering by the Shiite Muslim movement, which has now become the country's most-powerful political organization, in control of the country's largest army.
"All the people in Tripoli are angry," said Mai Ali Osmen, a protester standing nearby a burning office building. "We hate Hezbollah."
Hours later, after gunshots were fired, more soldiers were deployed to try to quell the ongoing demonstration, according to a local news source.
The widespread protests came after leaders called Monday for "a day of rage" in response to the expected nomination. Thousands appeared to answer that call, gathering in Tripoli and other cities Tuesday morning for a protest that began with music, dancing and passionate speeches, but ended in violence.