Lebanon's Interior Ministry said on Sunday it had banned protests on Monday to avoid trouble on a day when opponents of the Syrian-backed government had called a demonstration and one-day national strike. A statement from the ministry called on the security forces "to take all necessary steps to preserve security and order and prevent demonstrations and gatherings on Monday".

Opposition deputies called the strike last week to coincide with a special parliamentary session to discuss the assassination of former prime minister Rafik al-Hariri on February 14, for which they hold Syria responsible.

Copyright Reuters, 2005