MOBS ATTACK PRO-ASSAD SYRIAN VOTERS IN LEBANON

Angry Lebanese crowds attacked buses and smashed the windows of cars carrying supporters of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Beirut on Thursday, decrying what they call a sham as international voting in Syria's presidential election began, Weedah Hamzah reported for Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa).

Vehicles loaded with Syrians, holding pictures of al-Assad and waving the Syrian flag, were seen heading towards the Syrian embassy on the outskirts of Beirut for the day-long vote. The patriotic display caused tensions to erupt in the streets of the city, according to Lebanese media and images posted on social media.

Police sources said young men in the Sassine Square area in Beirut smashed a car and tore up pictures of al-Assad, which were plastered on the vehicle.

In northern Beirut, another group of men stopped some cars and snatched Syrian flags from al-Assad loyalists.

Buses carrying Syrians were meanwhile pelted with stones in northern Beirut. Some people were injured by broken glass, Lebanese media reported.

The attacks prompted Lebanese internal security forces and the Lebanese army to intervene to contain the situation. Syria's ambassador to Lebanon, Ali Abdel- Kareem, expressed his country's regret at the attacks. At a press conference, he said those behind the attacks should be held accountable.

"It is so unfortunate that we cannot find justification for a number of Lebanese to attack buses that were carrying Syrians to the embassy to exercise their right," the Syrian official said.

Several pro-Syrian officials have accused followers of the Lebanese anti-Syrian Christian leader, Samir Geagea, of being behind the attacks.

In a statement carried by local media on Wednesday, Geagea said Syrians voting for al-Assad should go back home and not remain in Lebanon as refugees.

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