Hariri loyalists protest PM nomination in Lebanon

Hundreds of supporters of caretaker Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri protested in north Lebanon on Tuesday against the expected nomination of Hezbollah-backed Najib Mikati to form the next government.
Hariri loyalists have called for a "day of anger" after Hezbollah and its allies, who toppled Hariri's government two weeks ago in a dispute about indictments in the investigation of his father's killing, won support for Mikati to replace him.
"Sunni blood is boiling", chanted some protesters, burning pictures of Mikati and waving blue flags of Hariri's Future Movement, which says it will not serve in any government dominated by the militant Shi'ite group.
Lebanon's power-sharing political system calls for the post of prime minister to be held by a Sunni, and Hariri supporters said any figure who accepted the nomination from Hezbollah to form a new government would be considered a traitor.
Lebanon's President Michel Suleiman started a second day of consultations on Tuesday with Lebanese parliamentarians to name a prime minister to lead the new government.
Mikati has already secured the crucial backing of Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, swinging the balance of power in his favour.
Hezbollah and its allies walked out of Hariri's unity government on January 12 in a dispute over still confidential indictments by a U.N.-backed tribunal which is investigating the 2005 killing of statesman Rafik al-Hariri, the premier's father.
The political deadlock has deepened sectarian divisions in Lebanon, and Hariri supporters protested in several cities on Monday, burning tyres and blocking streets.
Politicians allied to Hezbollah have said the first priority of a government they form would be to cut links with the tribunal, which is expected to accuse Hezbollah members of involvement in the 2005 killing. Hezbollah denies any role.
The demonstrators in Tripoli called for Mikati, a telecoms tycoon who comes from the northern port city, to withdraw his nomination and said the investigation in Rafik al-Hariri's killing could not be blocked.
"Tripoli will not accept the overthrow of the international tribunal," one poster read.