Besieged Beirut Christians Stage Anti-American Demonstrations

Sporadic artillery exchanges between Christian troops and Muslim militiamen threatened a fragile four-day truce Friday as Christians staged anti-American demonstrations to protest what they called Washington’s passive approach to the conflict.

“We are not your enemies, we are your allies,” read a banner carried by 200 students who staged a sit-in outside the U.S. Embassy in the East Beirut Christian suburb of Awkar.

“We want freedom, stop supporting Syria,” another banner read, reflecting the anger of Christian army commander Gen. Michel Aoun, who has openly criticized Washington for its reluctance to take a firm stance against Syrian intervention.

Witnesses said six people were slightly injured earlier when Christian demonstrators, chanting anti-American slogans, tried to force their way into the vicinity of the heavily fortified embassy building Thursday night.

Security guards prevented the protesters from entering the compound but later allowed three representatives into the embassy to talk to a U.S. official, the witnesses said.

In Washington, U.S. officials said that the United States is energetically supporting an Arab League proposal for a cease-fire in Lebanon and is not tilting toward Syria.

At least 250 people have been killed and more than 1,050 wounded since Christian-Muslim fighting started. Syria, which maintains 35,000 army regulars in the Muslim areas of Beirut and east and north Lebanon, has thrown its full weight behind its Muslim militia allies.

Meanwhile, Syrian gunners fired rocket barrages at the port of Juniyah, 12 miles north of Beirut, trying to stop vessels from rescuing fleeing Christians.

One Cypriot-flagged ferry defied the bombardment, picked up hundreds of war-weary refugees and departed for the open sea.

Police said the Syrians withheld fire when the ferry Baroness dropped anchor off Juniyah and did not enter the harbor.

A police spokesman said four large speedboats shuttled about 1,200 Lebanese to the vessel and it began its nine-hour voyage back to Larnaca, Cyprus, an hour after arrival.