Basically, it was catalysed by a Lebanese gang assaulting some volunteer lifesavers, and so it sparked huge riots. IMO though, they're not race riots at all. I think it's just a gang war that's gotten blown way out of proportion, and the media has played a huge role in escalating the entire situation.

I'm in Sydney, and I can tell you there are cops absolutely everywhere - on the streets, at the beaches, and even in local shopping centres. Beaches have been virtually closed this weekend, and it's impacting on the local community - I live relatively close to the beaches, and I've been told pretty much to not wander around near the beaches or the junctions at all, because of threats of more violence. Still, leaders of major surfie gangs and Lebanese Muslim leaders have appeared on tv trying to publicly make peace...which indicates even more to me that its just a major gang war.

Still, at the end of this, I just have to stress that Australia is not racist - the media just portrays it this way to make a big deal out of it. Certain journalists and radio stations have also managed to worsen the situation, and inadvertantly (or so they say) sparking more riots. Uncool.