By BBC NEWS
Added: Sat, 24 Apr 2010 23:00:00 UTC

Hundreds of civil society activists have marched on the Lebanese parliament in an unprecedented rally in Beirut.

The protesters are calling on all Lebanese to help bring an end to the country's divisive sectarian system and replace it with a secular system.

The organisers say it is time to redefine what it means to be Lebanese.

Demonstrators blocked the main road leading to parliament, waving Lebanese flags and chanting "secularism" as security in the city was stepped up.

A leader of the march, which was organised by an independent grassroots movement, Laique Pride, addressed the crowds through a loudspeaker outside the building.

Divided government

"Change must come from us," the organiser said as police set up barricades to prevent protesters from reaching the building in the capital. "Only we citizens can do this."

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/8642385.stm

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