[Updates] From Lebanon -14/05/2008

[The Don]

Five killed in Beirut gun battles


http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44638000/jpg/_44638819_amalbeirutafp226b.jpg
At least five people have been killed in fierce fighting between supporters of Lebanon's government and the opposition in Beirut, officials say.

Television showed gunmen firing rifles and rocket-propelled grenades in central and southern areas of the city.

The fighting began after the leader of Hezbollah described the government's move to close its telecommunications network as a "declaration of war".

Hassan Nasrallah vowed to "cut off the hand" that attempted to dismantle it.

Earlier, the Lebanese army command warned its unity was at risk if the ongoing political crisis and civil unrest in Beirut continued.

In recent years, it has been seen as one of Lebanon's most neutral institutions, but correspondents say clashes between rival factions could draw it into the conflict.

'Siege'

For most of Thursday there was a tense stand-off in the sensitive areas of central and south Beirut, where Sunni and Shia communities overlap and where gun battles had broken out the previous day.

But shortly after the televised speech by Sheikh Nasrallah ended, the sound of heavy gunfire and explosions could be heard echoing through the streets of the capital.

More From BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7390943.stm)

[3ammo]

Allah yekhod yalli ken el sabab. These people need to stop using guns and sort out their problems elsewhere. Everyone is just looking at their own interest and ignoring the country and it's people.

[The Don]

If you look on the scene from higher view, I don't think it is as shown in media, Iran / Israel have something to do with what's happening in Lebanon.

[3ammo]

sfCkdbANYlE

[sammy]

متل مغربي يقول عندما تسقط البقرة تكتر السكاكين
قادر ربي أن يعيد للبنان أمنه آمين يا رب

[The Don]

Army move to end Tripoli violence



http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44644000/jpg/_44644925_troops_afp226b.jpg



Lebanese troops have deployed in the northern city of Tripoli to end fierce fighting between Hezbollah sympathisers and supporters of the government.

Thousands fled their homes as several people were reportedly killed in heavy exchanges of machine gun fire and rocket-propelled grenades.

Meanwhile, an uneasy calm has descended on Beirut, after four days of running street battles left 38 people dead.

The clashes have triggered fears of a return to Lebanon's 15-year civil war.

On Saturday, Hezbollah agreed to pull its fighters off the streets of Muslim western Beirut after the army overturned government measures aimed at curbing the group.

But many roads remain blocked, including the airport road, as the Iranian-backed Shia group continues its campaign of civil disobedience.

Arab foreign ministers are currently holding an emergency meeting on the crisis in the Egyptian capital Cairo.

Offices burnt

In Tripoli, Sunni supporters of the Western-backed government have reportedly been fighting members of an Alawite sect loyal to Hezbollah.



BBC:11/05/2008 (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7394395.stm)

[The Don]

Lebanon army 'ready to use force'


http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44650000/jpg/_44650641_tripoliafp226body.jpg



The Lebanese army has said it is prepared to use force to disarm gunmen and restore order across the country.

It follows a week of clashes between supporters of the Western-backed government and the Hezbollah-led opposition.

The latest violence has left more than 60 people dead.

Saudi Arabia has criticised Iran for supporting what it called a coup by Hezbollah. It said it would affect its relations with Arab countries.

There is now a strong Lebanese army presence in Beirut, the northern city of Tripoli and in the Chouf mountains south-east of the capital.

But correspondents say much of Beirut remains paralysed by street barricades, and the international airport is still closed.

The recent sectarian violence is the worst since the end of the 15-year civil war in 1990 and has led to fears of another all-out conflict.

A military statement said: "Army units will prevent any violations, whether by individuals or groups, in accordance with the law even if this is going to lead to the use of force."

'Hezbollah coup'

Saudi Arabia, a strong supporter of the Lebanese government, has called for all Middle Eastern states to respect the independence of Lebanon.


BBC: 13/5/08 (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7397946.stm)

[The Don]

Arabs push for Lebanon dialogue


http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44654000/jpg/_44654905_ffd939c6-7d80-48e1-bf73-9cb42a2ab72e.jpg


The Arab League has sent a delegation to Lebanon to mediate between warring supporters and opponents of the pro-western government.

The delegation, led by Qatar's PM with eight foreign ministers, is holding separate talks with each side.

The blockade of Beirut international airport, by the opposition movement Hezbollah, was partially lifted to allow the mediators to pass through.

Fighting erupted when the government outlawed Hezbollah's phone network.

Partisans of the embattled government and the opposition supported by Syria and Iran have fought in Beirut and other parts of the country over the past week.

More than 60 people have been killed in the violence.

The situation is currently reported generally calm.

The BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut says, unless something goes wrong, the plan is for the government to hold a cabinet meeting on Wednesday evening to announce that it is annulling two controversial decisions it made early last week, which triggered the onslaught from Hezbollah.

The opposition would then reopen all roads, including the airport highway.

Then the two sides would enter a dialogue on the issues dividing them, although our correspondent says it is not yet clear where those talks will be held and who will chair them.



BBC: 14/5/08 (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7400342.stm)

[The Don]

Lebanon revokes Hezbollah curbs


The Lebanese government has cancelled measures against the Shia movement Hezbollah, that triggered six days of clashes between political factions.

The measures, taken last week, included outlawing Hezbollah's phone network, and sacking an airport security chief with alleged links to the group.

Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, had described the moves as a declaration of war.

The government move comes as an Arab League delegation attempts to mediate.

Lebanon's information minister Ghazi Aridi said the government was revoking the measures "in view of the higher national interest".

At least 60 people were killed in the fighting between partisans of the western-backed government and the opposition, which is supported by Syria and Iran.

The Arab League sent a delegation to Lebanon to mediate between warring supporters and opponents of the government.

The delegation, which includes eight foreign ministers led by Qatar's prime minister, has been holding separate talks with the two sides.

[TheBeast]

They should have kept Syrian troops inside the country

[The Don]

The only thing lebanese need is to burn the shit out of Hizballah and especially Nasrallah himself.

He wanted his word to be the higher through killing civilians, faggot.