BEIRUT - The opposition coalition which led the wave of protests that helped to end three decades of Syrian domination of Lebanon divided Monday over whether to maintain the Beirut "freedom camp" that came to symbolise their campaign.
Youth activists from Sunni, Druze and one Christian faction began dismantling their tents after two and a half months camped out in the central Martyrs' Square.
But supporters of exiled Christian hardliner Michel Aoun and some smaller groups said they would maintain their protest. Aoun is due to return to Beirut on Saturday ending 15 years of exile in France.
Nader Nakib, from the Sunni faction of slain former prime minister Rafiq Hariri whose February 14 assassination prompted the establishment of the camp, said it should now be taken down.
Its twin goals of securing a Syrian withdrawal and the organization of elections as required by the constitution this month had both been achieved.
05/02/2005 18:11 GMT