June 1, 1957
LEBANON: Beirut, 30 – A major revolt by the opposition aimed at preparing the ground for elections, and with a strongly anti-American flavor, was put down violently today by the Lebanese army. Eight protesters, including one young woman, were killed by government forces. Sixty people were injured. The government in Beirut said today’s riots were a plot by the opposition, although the latter blames the government, which refuses to allow a caretaker government to organize the next elections. Shouting «Down with Solh,» «Down with Shamun» and «Down with Eisenhower,» the demonstrators closed off streets and piled up rocks to avoid being hemmed in by armored vehicles… Part of the opposition’s recent election campaign in Lebanon took on an anti-American character when its candidates accused the government of adhering to the Eisenhower doctrine. The opposition is in favor of an alliance with Syria and Egypt… During the demonstrations, the United States ambassadors to Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon were holding a meeting in Beirut.
