Beirut protesters demand new government
01:06 - Source: CNN

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NEW: Clashes erupt in Tripoli between supporters, opponents of Syria's government

Protester: "We don't want our prime minister to be our leader"

The violence comes after a series of political speeches at Wissam al-Hassan's funeral

Many anti-Syrian politicians in Lebanon blamed Syria for the assassination

Beirut, Lebanon CNN  — 

Anti-government rage erupted in central Beirut Sunday as protesters clashed with security forces after a funeral for the nation’s intelligence chief.

A mob pushed toward the prime minister’s office, hurling sticks, stones and flags and calling for his dismissal. Gunfire could be heard as police used tear gas to turn away crowds. At least 15 members of the military were wounded, according to the office of Prime Minister Najib Mitaki.

A smaller, peaceful demonstration continued later Sunday as government figures called for calm. But deep-rooted political and sectarian tensions still simmered.

Protesters, many of them allied with Sunni coalitions that have long been sharply critical of the Lebanese government’s perceived closeness with the Syrian regime, blamed Mitaki for not preventing Friday’s deadly car bomb blast that killed Brig. Gen. Wissam al-Hassan.

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Many anti-Syrian politicians in Lebanon blamed Syria for the assassination.

“We don’t want our prime minister to be our leader, hiding (Syrian President) Bashar (al-Assad’s) crimes,” one angry protester shouted as he rushed toward the government building. “They are responsible for Wissam al-Hassan’s blood.”

Friday’s attack – in broad daylight, at one of the capital’s busiest areas – left a crater more than a meter (3 feet, 3 inches) deep and also killed al-Hassan’s bodyguard and a bystander.

The intelligence chief’s death brought a sense of deja vu to Lebanese, recalling the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, which triggered the end of Syria’s occupation of Lebanon and the turmoil that followed.

Mikati, a billionaire supported by Syrian ally Hezbollah, announced Saturday that he planned to stay in power, despite having offered his resignation to appease those who claimed Syria’s al-Assad was behind Friday’s car bombing that killed al-Hassan.

“To hold me personally responsible for the assassination is unfair,” he told reporters Saturday. “I have always respected and admired al-Hassan, who has done great things for Lebanon.”

Al-Hassan had spearheaded investigations of Hariri’s death and a series of killings that targeted major anti-Syrian political figures.

Sunday’s violence broke out after a series of political speeches given to the crowd gathered in Beirut’s central square for al-Hassan’s funeral.

“This government is responsible for the assassination of martyr (al-Hassan) and his companion martyrs, therefore, this government must leave,” former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora told the crowd.

After his speech, “the participants immediately called on people to head to the prime minister’s office. The call was mentioned repeatedly in provocative language,” read a statement from Mitaki’s office.

“We put these facts forward to the public and we hold those people, who provoked with their slogans and actions, responsible for the attempt to storm the prime minister’s office.”

A mob surged from the central square toward the minister’s office, growing in number and in intensity. Dozens rushed toward police lines.

Clashes also took place in Tripoli, Lebanon, between supporters and opponents of Syria’s government, Lebanon’s National News Agency said.

Some politicians had called for a day of rage Sunday, as accusations over who’s responsible for the most high-profile assassination in Lebanon in more than seven years homed in on al-Assad’s government. Others, including speakers at the funeral, had urged crowds to remain peaceful.

Syria and Hezbollah condemned the blast very quickly after it happened on Friday.

But al-Hassan’s work would have earned him a number of enemies, particularly among pro-Syrian elements in Lebanon and in Damascus.

He was aligned with the March 14 movement, the anti-Syrian regime coalition that emerged after Hariri’s assassination in 2005. That movement was key in forcing the withdrawal of Syrian troops, which had long occupied neighboring Lebanon and pulled out months after Hariri was killed.

He had worked closely with the U.N. Special Tribunal for Lebanon investigating the Hariri assassination. He had survived two assassination attempts, including one that killed an official getting evidence in Hariri’s killing.

While Lebanese authorities continued investigating Friday’s attack, many among the crowd at Sunday’s funeral said they were convinced Syria was responsible for al-Hassan’s death.

Some booed when Mitaki’s face flashed across large screens showing the event.

“If you’re against the Syrian government, you’ll be eliminated,” one attendee named Ahmed said. “If you’re not against it, then you’re fine, you’re safe.”

A woman named Nathalie said she came to the funeral to show the world that Lebanon would never surrender to terrorism.

“We’re all here today to show the whole world and even the Syrian regime that we’ll never be afraid of them,” she said, “and Lebanon will never be Syria.”

CNN’s Tracy Doueiry contributed to this report.