Anonymous breaks in to Lebanon Government Websites

Hackers have defaced four websites of the Lebanon government in an act of apparent solidarity with protests staged this week in Beirut calling for a secular government.

Prominent anon YourAnonNews announced the attack on twitter: "Lebanon pwnt - http://www.economy.gov.lb/ | http://www.beirut.gov.lb/ (via @Ihab39) #Anonymous" LOLzzz"

Hacktivists have defaced the websites of the ministries of economy and displaced people, the municipality of Beirut and a national security service. The homepage has been replaced by a caricature of a starving citizen ("The people") feeding a chubby businessman in a suit (called "the government").

The campaign, dubbed Operation Lebanon, was launched by hacking group LebAnonLulz on Twitter: "TWO of the FOUR defaced websites were mirrored! Mirrors are still on hold and awaiting to be verified. Mirrors shared soon. STAY TUNED."

The attack is allegedly linked to the protests that took place in Beirut when 400 people rallied to call for social justice, reforms and to revive the anti-sectarian movement that began two years ago.

Members of a civil rights collective claimed it was the beginning of a series of actions and demonstrations. Among the protesters' demands were improved utilities, transport, education, rent controls, wages and women's rights.

Lebanon's power-sharing system requires that the president be a Maronite Christian, the prime minister a Sunni Muslim and the parliamentary speaker a Shiite Muslim. Each religious group represents about one-third of Lebanon's population

In April 2010 around 5,000 people marched in Beirut to demand an end to the sectarian system. In March 2011 the movement saw its biggest demonstration with 20,000 people marching across the capital.