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Protesters March in Lebanon to Reject New Government

   BEIRUT - Hundreds of Lebanese marched on Saturday through the streets
   of the capital and the main northern city to reject a new government
   named to deal with an economic crisis, which they say lacks a popular
   mandate.

   The new government named in January came after weeks of political
   stalemate and amid nationwide protests while Lebanon grappled with an
   unprecedented economic crisis.

   Backed by the two main blocs in parliament, the government is awaiting
   a vote of confidence, which it is likely to get. But protesters say the
   government is an extension of traditional political parties they have
   denounced as corrupt.

   ``We are here today and every day ... to say no confidence,'' a
   protester who read a joint statement for the rallies said. It said the
   protesters won't give another chance ``to those who robbed them of
   their dreams, impoverished them, forced them to migrateand humiliated
   them.'' They vowed to keep up the pressure against a ruling class
   ''that controls decision-making and resources."

   Protests snowballed

   Lebanon's nationwide protests broke out October17 after a summer of
   discontent over a slumping economy and an austerity budget. The
   protests, sparked by proposals for new taxes, snowballed into demands
   for the ruling elite to step aside.

   Lebanon's ruling class has been in power since the end of the 1975-90
   civil war, including some of its warlords. Protesters accuse them of
   mismanaging Lebanon's wealth and of widespread corruption.

   The new 20-member government of Prime Minister Hassan Diab was
   announced in late January, but protests continued.

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