Lebanese opposition supporters protest whilst waving Lebanese flags as they shout anti-Syrian slogans during a demonstration against Syria and the Lebanese government at the Martyrs square in down town Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday Feb. 27, 2005. (Photo: Xinhua/AFP)

Lebanese opposition supporter holds up a photo of slain former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri during a demonstration against Syria and the Lebanese government at the Martyrs square in down town Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday Feb. 27, 2005. (Photo: Xinhua/AFP)

    BEIJING, Feb. 28 -- Several thousand anti-Syrian protesters have taken to Beirut's streets in defiance of an early government ban.

    The protest came ahead of Monday's scheduled vote of confidence in the pro-Damascus government. It is under intense pressure to probe the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

    Meanwhile, David Satterfield, a U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state who is visiting Lebanon, reiterated Washington's demand that Damascus withdraw its 15 thousand troops from Lebanon "as soon as possible".

    He also urged a thorough inquiry into Hariri's killing.

(Source: CRIENGLISH.com)