Other signs emerged suggesting that the next few weeks will be treacherous ones, as the newly energized Lebanese opposition tests the limits of its political strength.

He has expressed deep disappointment that countries to which the Lebanese opposition has looked for support have not, in his opinion, lived up to their expectations.

He was one of seven pro-Syrian officials whose resignations had been requested by the Lebanese opposition after the assassination.

Dawood Pasha was unpopular and his rule therefore ineffectual in the face of Lebanese opposition.

The Lebanese opposition blames Syria for Mr. Hariri's death, a charge Syria has denied.

The withdrawal of Syrian forces is one of the central demands of the Lebanese opposition.

The issue is likely to be one of the first tests of the Lebanese opposition, which is expected to win parliamentary elections in May and take over the government.

"Times are changing," said Fouad Saad, a member of the Lebanese opposition and of Parliament.

For his part, the High Representative, Javier Solana, will tomorrow be meeting a delegation of representatives of the Lebanese opposition.

Indeed, it is no accident that the main slogan of the Lebanese opposition is not "Democracy," but "Sovereignty, Independence and Freedom."