LEBANON WATCH- Protesters Rally for Second Day in Awkar against Military Intervention in Syria http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/97210-protesters-rally-for-second-day-in-awkar-against-military-intervention-in-syria
  For the second day in a row, a number of activists rallied in front of the American Embassy in al-Metn's Awkar neighborhood to protest the expected U.S.-lead military operation in Syria. MTV remarked that a number of activists, intellectuals, bloggers and journalists took part in the protest. "We reject any aggression against the sovereignty of an Arab state,” activist Ali Taleb stated during the protest, pointing out to previous foreign military interventions in Libya and Iraq. He added: “The country is not looking for weapons or for an international resolution because the decisions made by international organizations have taught us that rights are earned not granted.” "Syria, the land of Arabism and resilience, is in danger. But the country does not want protection as it safeguarded Arabs for a long time. It needs Arabs to stand by its side instead of calling on foreign countries to destroy it.” "We do not want a (Arab) League that exports jihadists from Caucasus.” Taleb assured that the “American Spring will not be achieved through Damascus, and certainly not through Beirut.” "Oil has contributed to building towers and making money but it wasn't able to establish an identity,” he said. "Palestine and Arabism cannot be replaced, and if Syria became isolated, it is not in Palestine's interest.” Saturday's rally took place a day after a group of March 8 supporters demonstrated near the United States' Embassy also. U.S. President Barack Obama warned he was ready to launch military strikes on Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime over its alleged use of chemical weapons. Washington has accused the regime of Assad of carrying out the August 21 attack near Damascus, which U.S. officials say killed nearly 1,500 people, including hundreds of children.