The situation in Lebanon grew more tense today after opposition leaders called for an 'independence uprising' in the country to end the Syrian occupation and Syrian control of the government.

The Lebanese Tourism Minister, Farid al-Khazen, also announced his resignation in protest of the recent assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri. Al-Khazen said he resigned because the Syrian-backed government could not 'remedy the dangerous situation in the country.' He added, 'There is no substitute for national dialogue on the basis of the Taif agreement.' The Taif Agreement ended the long civil war in Lebanon in 1990 and 'invited' Syrian troops into the country.

Walid Jumblatt, the Druze Leader, called for the peaceful 'independence uprising' after a meeting Friday with other opposition leaders. Jumblatt also asked that parliament suspend all other debate until it figures out who was responsible for al-Hariri's death.

'This isn't just the opposition,' Jumblatt earlier told reporters. 'All the Lebanese are with Hariri, a free Lebanon and Syrian withdrawal.'

Hariri had taken an anti-Syrian stance just before his death. That is one reason many experts speculate that Damascus had some involvement in his death.

The United States continues to put pressure on Syria to leave Lebanon and to comply with all UN Resolutions. Syria has denied involvement in the killing.