All preparations, be they logistic, practical and security, have been completed for today's massive demonstration dubbed the "march of the one million" to protest against U.N. Security Council Resolution 1559, which is blasted as blunt interference in Lebanon's domestic affairs, the local press, including An Nahar and As Safir reported Tuesday morning. The demonstration carried a clear political message in support of Syria's military presence in Lebanon, which the resolution wants ended. An Nahar made several comments on the march, which was initially suggested by the Lebanon branch of Syria's ruling Baath Party. It noted that the state was deeply involved in preparations and will be participating in the demonstration through a number of ministers and political forces, which are represented in the government.

It also underlined the great logistical facilities provided by the authorities, which include bussing in thousands of protesters from the various Lebanese regions to Beirut. There are also the security arrangements being taken to ensure the arrival of the greatest possible number of people and the closure of several roads and the removal of parked cars from the areas where the march will be held in order to facilitate its procession all the way to Martyrs Square in downtown Beirut. Media coverage will also be provided by the state, including an aerial view of the march, which will be taken from military helicopters, according to An Nahar.

The demonstration also resulted in an undeclared day off as many private schools have decided to close and security arrangements, including the closure of a vast area in central Beirut, where the protest will take place, has made many people prefer to stay home instead of going to work. "The huge efforts put up to prepare for the demonstration and to mobilize the largest possible number of protesters are no secret to anyone... Public transport means were placed at the disposal of the protesters to facilitate their arrival from all regions, especially the north, south and the Bekaa, where followers of Hizbullah and Sunni Muslim movements are concentrated," the paper noted. Pro-Syrian parties and movements participating in the demonstration announced that there will be no displays of party slogans such as flags and banners, but only Lebanese flags to show the national and unification character of the move against 1559.

The resolution passed two months ago at the behest of the U.S. and France called on Syria without naming it to pull out its estimated 15,000 troops from Lebanon and demanded the Lebanese government to disband local and foreign militias in clear reference to Hizbullah and armed Palestinian factions.

Strictly National and Non-Sectarian

Commenting on the demonstration, the secretary general of the pro-Syria National Syrian Social Party (NSSP) Jibran Araiji said its objectives are strictly national and non-sectarian or confessional, As Safir reported Tuesday. "The aim is one which is to address a message to the international community affirming the unity of the Lebanese and their national will as well as their solidarity with Syria," Araiji said after a meeting with President Emile Lahoud at Baabda Palace.

On his part, Sunni Grand Mufti Sheikh Rashid Kabbani expressed his backing to the demonstration noting that "Syria and Lebanon are nowadays more united than any time before and will work together in confronting the Zionist danger and protecting the Arab region from Israeli schemes aimed at driving a wedge between Lebanon and Syria." MP Bishara Merhej noted that "it is the democratic right of all to express their views and this right cannot be monopolized by one party or side." "This right is being exercised today by Lebanese political groups with the backing of a large bracket of the Lebanese people from all sects and regions... They will be expressing their views democratically and peacefully regarding main issues concerning Lebanon and its relationship with Syria," Merhej added.

The Christian Phalange Party wing, which is led by former minister Karim Pakradouni, expressed support for the demonstration although it did not say if its followers will be taking part in it. As Safir quoted Pakradouni as saying, "We support the demonstration on the basis of our opposition to resolution 1559, which we regard as an insolent interference in Lebanon's internal affairs and a project for civil strife and all-out chaos threatening the stability, peace and higher interests of the nation."

In Sidon, the gathering of Lebanese and Palestinian national and Islamic groups condemned 1559 and called on their followers to take part in the demonstration. Sidon MP Osama Saad toured the commercial center of the southern city urging the people to participate in the protest, which was also backed by Sidon's Mayor Abdel Rahman Bizri. The General Workers Confederation (GWC) also issued a statement calling on Lebanon's workers to participate in the demonstration "to express their readiness to confront challenges eyeing the nation and threatening our existence and future."