Hezbollah says Beirut government declares war

[maddezmom]

Source: Reuters

BEIRUT, May 8 (Reuters) - The Iranian-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah said on Thursday the U.S.-supported Beirut government had declared war by targeting its communications network.

Hezbollah launched a new street campaign on Wednesday, piling pressure on the government after it declared the network illegal and removed the head of airport security, a figure close to the group, from his post.

Supporters of Hezbollah and its allies have blocked roads leading to the airport -- Lebanon's only air link to the outside world -- and other main streets, paralysing much of the capital.

Sporadic gun battles erupted between Hezbollah supporters and pro-government loyalists in the Bekaa Valley in the east of the country, wounding five people, security sources said. Similar clashes took place in Beirut on Wednesday.

Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L08466882.htm

---

Clashes erupt for second day in Lebanon
By ZEINA KARAM, Associated Press Writer

BEIRUT, Lebanon - Witnesses and security officials say Shiite supporters of Hezbollah and Sunni backers of Lebanon's U.S.-allied government are clashing with automatic rifles and grenades.

The latest clashes follow a defiant speech by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in which he said the militant organizations would respond with force to any attacks.

It is the second day of clashes that have turned some Beirut neighborhoods into battlegrounds. The sectarian confrontation have also spilled over to other parts of the country.

The clashes are taking place on Corniche Mazraa, a major thoroughfare that has become a demarcation line between the two sides, and the Ras el-Nabeh area.


more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080508/ap_on_re_mi_ea/lebanon_protests_9

[maddezmom]

1. Explosions, gunfire rock Beirut

BEIRUT, May 8 (Reuters) - Explosions and gunfire rocked Beirut on Thursday as fighters loyal to Hezbollah battled pro-government supporters in the Lebanese capital, security sources said.

They said fierce clashes were under way in at least two Beirut districts. There was no word on casualties. (Writing by Nadim Ladki; Editing by Charles Dick)

more:
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L08211511.htm

[nashville_brook]

2. this is the "covert activity" Bush signed onto 6-7 weeks ago

[maddezmom]

3. do we still have ships off the coast of Lebanon? from 3/5/08 US Warships Cruise Near Lebanon

March 5, 2008
US Warships Cruise Near Lebanon

The United States has quietly deployed two naval ships near Lebanese waters.

~snip~

Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora is quoted as saying that the Cole and other US ships " (...) will cruise off the coast, not in Lebanese territorial waters."

White House National security Spokesman Gordon Johndroe said the purpose of US warships near Lebanon was to "show of support for regional stability."

But in a Daily Star article, retired General Elias Hanna, who now teaches political science at Notre Dame University, said the purpose of the deployment may be more specific: "In addition to signaling support for its allies in the March 14 governing coalition, the USS Cole also sends a message to Hizbullah to reconsider any plans to retaliate against Israel" following the February 13 assassination of senior Hezbollah member Imad Mughniyeh in Damascus.

more:http://www.cnn.com/CNNI/Programs/middle.east/blog/2008/03/us-warships-off-cruise-off-lebanon.html

[OKthatsIT]

20. GAWD, it might not be Hezballah even saying this...

These arms dealer/cointelpro assholes will stoop to anything to wipe out populations with their 'much needed' inventory.

[Hydra]

4. "Bringin em freedom!"

You know, if we keep bringing "freedom" to people, there won't be a live person left in the world.

[maddezmom]

5. U.S. may seek sanctions in Lebanon crisis -envoy

U.S. may seek sanctions in Lebanon crisis -envoy 08 May 2008 15:59:58 GMT
Source: Reuters
UNITED NATIONS, May 8 (Reuters) - The U.N. Security Council should consider "additional steps" including sanctions if Syria and Hezbollah do not move to resolve a crisis in Lebanon, Washington's U.N. Ambassador said on Thursday.

Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad said Hezbollah should "operate within the law," stop challenging the legitimate government of Lebanon and support election of a president. He said Syria should delineate its border with Lebanon and establish diplomatic relations with its neighbor.

"Absent those kinds of developments, the council will have to confront these challenges and deal with the problem by taking appropriate steps," he told reporters.

more:http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N08375788.htm

[bemildred]

6. They are cranking up the Mighty Wurlitzer on this one.

Lot's of "stories" all of a sudden.

[maddezmom]

10. yup and the lastest: Hezbollah must stop "disruptive" acts - U.S.

Hezbollah must stop "disruptive" acts - U.S. 08 May 2008 17:13:41 GMT

CRAWFORD, Texas, May 8 (Reuters) - The White House on Thursday demanded Hezbollah stop "disruptive activities" in Lebanon after the Iranian-backed group began a new street campaign aimed at challenging the U.S.-backed government.

"Hezbollah needs to make a choice: be a terrorist organization or be a political party, but quit trying to be both," White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said in Texas where U.S. President George W. Bush was at his ranch preparing for his daughter's wedding.

"They need to start playing a constructive role and stop their disruptive activities now," Johndroe said.

Bush will meet Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora on May 18 in Egypt, at the end of a week-long visit to the Middle East.

more:http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N08385772.htm

[bemildred]

11. This all started with a strike over the minimum wage, apparently.

I wonder if it was all planned out beforehand, or it was decided to crank up the megaphone when the opportunity presented itself with the strike. Could be both I suppose, a plan waiting around for an opportunity to be put in play. Now if some widespread unrest or fighting can be generated, the government can declare a "state of emergency" and rule by decree or something like that. Anyway, that's my current guess as to the plan. It will be interesting to see what the Lebanese Army does.

[The Stranger]

17. Jeez, raise the minimum wage. Problem solved.

[AngryAmish]

7. I'm sure this will end well

[Dogtown]

8. I think they're determined

to bring us to war w/ Iran & Syria before the election.

[laststeamtrain]

9. AP: "On Thursday, the violence spread outside the capital."

<snip>

On Thursday, the violence spread outside the capital. Sunnis and Shiites exchanged gunfire in the village of Saadnayel in the eastern Bekaa Valley. Four people were injured, said security officials, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with military regulations.

The area is on a major crossroads linking the Shiite areas of Baalbek, a Hezbollah stronghold, with central Lebanon and Beirut.

Nasrallah claimed Hezbollah's secure network of primitive private land lines helped the guerrillas fight Israel's high-tech army in the 2006 summer war.

He said the telecommunications network was "the most important part of the weapons of the resistance" and added Hezbollah had a duty to defend those weapons.

<more>

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080508/ap_on_re_mi_ea/lebanon_protests

[maddezmom]

12. Lebanon's Hariri proposes deal to end conflict

BEIRUT, May 8 (Reuters) - Lebanese governing coalition leader Saad al-Hariri proposed a deal to end a conflict with Hezbollah on Thursday, appearing to row back on government decisions which the group had viewed as a declaration of war.

Hariri outlined a deal that would consider the government decisions a "misunderstanding".

He was referring to a cabinet decision this week to declare illegal Hezbollah's communications network and remove the head of airport security, who is close to the group, from his post. Hezbollah says the communications network is part of its military infrastructure.

more:http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L0895748.htm

[bemildred]

16. Summary of Hariri's speech:

I can't vouch for the translation.

http://www.beirutbeltway.com/beirutbeltway/2008/05/hariris-proposa.html

[Phx_Dem]

13. Breaking News: Rocket-Fire Throughout Beirut

Update 8:58 pm: NOWLebanon reports mortar fire in Ras al Nabaa. The website is also reporting telephone calls being placed by Walid Jumblatt and Saad Hariri to Amal leader, Nabih Berri.

Update 8:55 pm: Unconfirmed reports of up to ten dead in Ras al Nabaa as Amal gunmen deploy en force. El Nashra reports that Cairo intends to call for an emergency meeting of Arab League Foreign Ministers to discuss emerging situation in Lebanon.

Update 8:50 pm: Heavy fighting resumes throughout Beirut's mixed Sunni-Shiite areas as unconfirmed reports of explosions continue to come in.

http://blacksmithsoflebanon.blogspot.com/2008/05/breaking-news-rocket-fire-throughout.html

[JCMach1]

14. Group identity in Lebanon also involves class distinctions... the Sh'ia

Have been downtrodden beneath the feet of Sunnis and Christians for hundreds of years. Even worse, the Palestinians in Lebanon are treated with a type of what I can best describe as apartheid in terms of living conditions and jobs in the 'camps'.

Labeling groups as terrorists in this particular case does nothing to solve Lebanon's problems. Bush, like the moral idiot he is chose sides when what is needed is careful, but strong, negotiations with ALL parties.

[The Stranger]

18. Calling Lebanon "apartheid" is pretty rich.

Apartheid assumes some government control or semblance of law -- of which Lebanon has neither.

Not even close.

[oberliner]

19. Palestinians in Lebanon

Palestinians in Lebanon are barred from working in 70 professional vocations. They cannot work as lawyers and doctors, and cannot own or inherit property. Unemployment is rife, particularly inside the dozen refugee camps which are home to just over half the country's 400,000 Palestinian refugees. In Ain al-Hilweh, the largest and most dangerous camp, leaders of factions estimate unemployment at 70 percent.

http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=78013

[The Stranger]

24. If you are tyring to imply that Lebanon is an apartheid state, you are sacrificing your credibility.

It cannot exist as a state, despite its decades-long efforts, and this problem has come to define Lebanon. The most fundamental requirement for it to be an apartheid state simply does not exist. It would be similar to saying that Iraq is currently conducting "apartheid" against the Sunni Muslims there, except that it would be ridiculous to say that. It is a failed state.

[oberliner]

25. The former Republic of South Africa was an apartheid state

Not sure what the best term would be to describe the status of the Palestinians in Lebanon.

[JCMach1]

28. My friend, you have no clue...

Palestinians are 3rd class citizens (not even that still classified as refugees) in Lebanon... legally, and economically.

There camps are physically ghettoized from the rest of the population. If you don't believe me, I would be glad to take you to see one once flights resume to Beirut.

[JCMach1]

27. Exactly, it is indeed a type of apartheid... ironic Lebanon

treats them so badly, no?

I visited a number of these areas before the last war with Israel and there are people still living in canvas UN tents from the 1970's.

[Phx_Dem]

15. Update

Update 10:20 pm: Heavy fighting continues throughout mixed Sunni-Shiite neighborhoods of Beirut, and NOWLebanon quotes "Opposition sources: MP Saad Hariri's suggestions are rejected; Amal and Hezbollah are to expand their control over the streets until the government backs down".

Update 9:20 pm: Two confirmed dead from fighting in Ras al Nabaa.

Update 9:00 pm: Cabinet meeting comes to an end and Information Minister, Ghazi al Aridi, informs reporters that Saad Hariri's proposal is reflective of the government's stance, and that it is now up to Hassan Nasrallah to respond. Naharnet also reports that Defense Minister Elias el Murr is on his way to Army Command to "relay Hariri's proposal".

http://blacksmithsoflebanon.blogspot.com/2008/05/breaking-news-rocket-fire-throughout.html

[Zynx]

21. I have to be honest here, I hope Hezbollah is destroyed some day.

I'm not saying I would want to go to war with it since that would not be worth the cost for our nation, but groups like Hezbollah do distort the region.

[JCMach1]

29. Hezbollah are also an agent for class/economic change in Lebanon

that's where the politics gets complicated.

Most Sunni and Christian parties are neo-liberal and want to maintain the status quo when controlling Lebanon's wealth.

[ohio2007]

22. Lebanon Heading Towards New Era

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=860_1210284194

Why is the govt is called "U.S.-supported Beirut government "

Is that a way of saying France,Turkey or even Morocco, for example, do not support the elected government of Lebanon ?

Suni/Shia civil war rivalry is on and the "refugee" camps are already all full up.

http://www.reuters.com/resources/r/?m=02&d=20080508&t=2&i=4186370&w=192&r=2008-05-08T203251Z_01_L07425998_RTRUKOP_0_PICTURE1
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL0742599820080508?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews




Beirut Blast - Post Media Reply
30 min. ago a blast hit Beirut, 10 killed, one of them is a top general.
BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNN) -- An explosion in a Beirut suburb killed Lebanon's top anti-terror investigating officer and his driver Friday, sources with the Lebanese Internal Security




http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=b3d_1201255275

[Phx_Dem]

23. Hezbollah taking over Beirut

I can't write much, but suffice it to say that some calm has come to certain areas of Beirut where Hizballah-led forces have ousted local resident-gunmen fighting the group's advance. Future TV and Newspaper, the mouthpiece of the Future Movement and of the Hariri family that heads it, has seen its offices in Beirut burnt.

Rumor in Lebanon has it that the head of the military, General Michel Suleiman, who's election Hizballah and others have blocked over the past six months, is being urged to assume power. Exact details of how he would do so remain sketchy, with some believing that Hizballah would only agree to it if its accompanied by the current government's resignation - something that would have happened if Suleiman were elected along the constitutional lines Hizballah has been blocking.

As of now, there is no indication of what is to come. What is clear is that Hizballah has effectuated a Gaza-like takeover of Beirut and is now preparing to leverage this new status quo in return for the same goals it could not achieve through legal and constitutional means.

With the International Tribunal coming into effect later this summer, a violent takeover of Lebanon seems to have been the route the group has chosen for itself to protect it, and its assassin-allies from justice.

http://blacksmithsoflebanon.blogspot.com/2008/05/what-now.html

[ohio2007]

26. Anonymous said; What now? Lebanese can enjoy living in Hezbollah's version of Orwell's "Airstrip One

It's an interesting blog.
http://blacksmithsoflebanon.blogspot.com/2008/05/what-now.html
I like the comment sections. Some interesting perspectives.


The links offered by some bloggers with a point of view never covered by mainstream is always welcome;

Arabs FMs to Meet Amid Fear over Iran Influence in Lebanon
Arab foreign ministers are to hold an emergency meeting on Sunday on the Lebanon crisis amid fears about Iran's influence over the Hizbullah movement which seized control of west Beirut on Friday.
The move follows three days of street battles in Lebanon which have stoked fears a protracted political feud could descend into another full-blown civil war in the deeply divided nation.

"It has been decided to hold an emergency meeting of Arab foreign ministers on Sunday in Cairo, at the request of Egypt and Saudi Arabia, to put an end to the deadly battles in Lebanon," an Arab League official said.

snip

http://www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk.nsf/story/EF897B35F89C9BF1C22574440066D6B2?OpenDocument


Well, so much for the "US backed" Lebanese government spin. I kinda figured the world enjoyed a peacfull coexistance that Lebanon offerred..for a few years after the last civil war.

Seems the Sunni world is falling in. They going to lock step to a Third World Cold War party line ?
Could be.

LOL "Experts" rarely pick up on areas of the world they are supposed to be well versed on.Unless they are "paid" to see it that way ;)