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An update on this story, and things are going downhill fast. "Hezbollah militias assume control of western Beirut," from CNN, May 9:
BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNN) -- Western Beirut fell under the control of opposition Hezbollah militias Friday in what amounted to an army-negotiated surrender of pro-government positions, Lebanese Internal Security Forces and Western military observers said.
The "dramatic development" is a major blow to the democratically elected and pro-Western government of Lebanon, CNN's Brent Sadler said.
Soldiers went to several offices of pro-government political parties in western Beirut overnight, he said. They persuaded pro-government gunmen who had battled Hezbollah militants to leave the offices as the opposition forces hovered nearby, he said.
Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, part of the pro-government coalition, said the government was "now at the end of a gun barrel" and they expect the "conditions for surrender will be offered sooner or later," Sadler reported.
"I think ... it's a coup," Jumblatt told CNN in a phone interview. "The Lebanese army is in total paralysis."
Rather than fight, the army has stayed above the fray. With its own political factions, taking sides could throw the military into disarray.
With pro-government gunmen out of the way, the fighting in the capital eased at bit Friday after intense gunbattles the previous two days echoed through Beirut's streets.
At least 11 people have been killed and 44 wounded in the clashes since Wednesday, according to Lebanese Internal Security Forces.
The developments came as two pro-government television stations -- Future TV and al-Ekhbariya TV -- ceased operations Friday.
They went off the air after being threatened by government opponents in Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Shiite Muslim militia, and Amal, a major Shiite party in Lebanon, according to Nadim Mounla, head of Future TV.
"Early this morning, many armed militiamen were in the surroundings of the Future television headquarters and they have sent us a very clear message: 'Either you shut off or (we're going to) destroy the premises,'" Mounla said.
The television stations are owned by the Hariri family, supporters of the country's pro-Western, Sunni-led government. In addition, the building housing the Hariri-owned al-Mustaqbal newspaper came under fire overnight. No injuries were reported.
The Hariri compound in western Beirut came under fire Friday. Security sources said rocket-propelled grenades slammed into the wall surrounding the residence.
Saad Hariri, the leader of the government's bloc in parliament, is the son of the late former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, whose 2005 assassination sparked protests that brought the current government to power and led to the withdrawal of Syrian troops.
Hariri and Jumblatt were besieged Friday in their residences in Muslim western Beirut, The Associated Press reported, while Prime Minister Fuad Saniora was believed to be under protection at his downtown office.
Posted by Marisol at May 9, 2008 8:58 AM
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A shame no one wanted Israel to crush Hezbollah. This is what appeasement does.
Posted by: Elric66![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jihadwatch.org/nav-commenters.gif)
at May 9, 2008 9:31 AM
There goes the neighbourhood!
Seriously, how did Lebanon get to this stage? What is their army for?
at May 9, 2008 9:35 AM
From a jpost reader:
In the end, there will be a major massacre of Christians at the hands of Moslems. This is the fate of Christians now in the Middle East since the Europeans have turned their backs on them. The only refuge they have is Israel or to leave the region altogether. Islam is incompatible with democracy, so Lebanon is finished as a democratic state.
Shel Zahav - Israel (05/09/2008 15:44)
at May 9, 2008 9:50 AM
A Coup? Definately.
Why now? Well look at the news.
Hizbullah's purpose is the destruction of Israel, it has no other.
Ahmadinejad is calling Israel a "stinking corpse" and Israel's prime minster is about to fall because of his corruption. In the recent Lebanon War when Hizbullah attacked Israel's northern border, Olmert was a disaster, and Hizbullah believes they won and that this victory shows that Israel is weak. To capitalize on this they know they must strike before Olmert is replaced by Barak or Natenyahu. Israel must wake up and realise that war is imminent.
at May 9, 2008 9:55 AM
"things are going downhill fast."
-- comment to the story of Hezbollah's gains
That depends on your point of view. Some may be delighted that Hezbollah is behaving as it is, and delighted as well that Mr. Big, Saudi Arabia, will have to funnel more money for weapons to the Sunnis, and especially to the besieged Hariri.
Posted by: Hugh
at May 9, 2008 10:05 AM
Sufficient money for arming the Sunnis is probably about a day's worth of Mr. Big's cash diverted from hotel penthouse suites and kaffir "concubines" and catamites. In the meantime, the Christians will die because they are defenseless.
Posted by: Marwan'sDaughter at May 9, 2008 10:20 AM
It appears the US has been Ignoring what could have been a strong partnership with the pro western Lebanese factions against the most powerful Islamic terrorist organization Hezbollah.
We discouraged Israel from continuing their battle with the Hezbollah Strongholds, we had politicians like Nancy Pelosi going over to the Iranian proxy country of Syria in a foolish effort to incourage them in stopping any support for terrorism. Syria is the delivery point for Hezbollahn and a supporter of Hamas and assists insurgents in attacking the US and Coalition troops in Iraq.
On one hand America pressured Syria with U.N. resolution 1559 and on the other hand it is trying to win Syrian cooperation and support for its actions for Iraq. This US double standard towards Syria should have stopped long ago.
If America is serious in winning and stabilizing Iraq, they should reverse the course of the "stick and the carrot" game towards Syria. America should strike back in at least the same fashion with which it is attacked in Iraq. For every car bomb that explodes in Baghdad, it should return the favor by three against specific targets in Damascus. For every assassination attempt in Baghdad, America should respond against all military and political figures of the Syrian terrorist regime. Instead, America's answer to this violence is by appeasing Damascus and giving its regime another opportunity.
The only language of diplomacy Syria and Iran understand is its military deterrence.
A Freeing Lebanon, would have been the best investment Washington could make for the sake of a safer Iraq, a different Syria and a new dynamic that would stabilize the Middle East and enforce the security of the United States.
Unfortunately our US Government has failed to recognize the determination of the fundamental Islamic Ideology that is at the heart of the umma and so it will be to late again as it was for the rise of Hamas and eventually Iraq and Afghanistan in the final chapter.
Yes we will have wasted our precious resources to prop up these countries who in the end will more than likely turn on us.
at May 9, 2008 10:21 AM
It's odd that media are calling the current Lebanese government "pro-Western". Apparently, the standards of being "pro-Western" have recently been expanded so broadly as to be completely meaningless.
As for the Lebanese Christians, they are getting their just deserts. Hopefully, the folks will have fun under the rule of their Shi'a "Arab brethren".
Posted by: Liggett at May 9, 2008 10:29 AM
Of course while all of this is going on the West, especially the United States will stand idily by.
We spill the blood of our brave soliders, marines and sailors while squandering our resources and money all for the "freedom" of Iraq. All for what will eventually be a sharia state, or at very least an Islamic dominated country. I think even my fellow republicans who were/are supporters of this war will have to admit this eventual outcome.
We allow parts of Serbia to be torn from it by islamic "Kosovoars". And I am sure we will say nothing as parts of Macedonia will be torn apart from those same islamic forces....
Yet we will let a democratic, pro-west, non-islamic country fall. All the while standby as the wholesale abuse of Lebanese Christians begins....
If ever a cause was worth sending in our forces to the middle east, it would be to save Lebanon from hezbollah and iran.
Posted by: adobe at May 9, 2008 10:35 AM
Some may be delighted that Hezbollah is behaving as it is, and delighted as well that Mr. Big, Saudi Arabia, will have to funnel more money for weapons to the Sunnis, and especially to the besieged Hariri.
Posted by: Hugh
Hugh, the issue isn't lack of weapons. The problem is that half the Lebanese army is Hezbollah. The last thing we need is another country controlled by Iran. Iran needs to be taught a lesson and soon. We should have bombed their military and nuclear installations a long time ago.
Posted by: Bonniea at May 9, 2008 10:36 AM
Is a massacre of the Maronites far behind? Their craven sucking up to Hizballah will not save them. As for the army fleeing, my bet is it has too many Muslims who are sympathetic to Hizballah and staying out of the fight.
Posted by: aynrandgirl at May 9, 2008 10:54 AM
Saniora to resign tonight via IsraelMatzav
Israel Radio has just reported that Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Saniora (pictured) will resign tonight.Posted by: justamomof4The report comes from two television stations, NBN and an Iranian station. In return, Hezbullah will withdraw its forces from Beirut.
at May 9, 2008 11:26 AM
i would bet they are now moving in those rockets into civilian areas..getting ready to fire them into Israel.
Posted by: pulsar182 at May 9, 2008 1:55 PM
Pardon me for not crying over this crappy little country. See this Pew Research poll: "Lebanon's Muslims: Relatively Secular and Pro-Christian
But Support for Terrorism and Anti-Semitism are Widespread." Here's the relevant datum:
"Attitudes toward Jews, however, are quite another matter. Even before the current conflict, negative sentiments about Jews and Israel were widespread in Lebanon, and they were not confined to the Muslim community. Indeed, no one in our Lebanese sample, Muslim, Christian, Druze, or otherwise, said they had a favorable view of Jews. Of course, negative attitudes towards Jews are not uncommon in the region -- in neighboring Jordan, zero respondents had a favorable view of Jews, and Morocco and Pakistan also posted favorable ratings for Jews in the single digits."
The graph shows 0% of Lebanese have favorable views of Jews. Now, views about Jews is not the only driver for how one sees a country, but zero percent? I could care less if the whole country ended in a mass slaughter. I'll bet if you asked Germans in 1942 of their views toward Jews you wouldn't get 0% favorable.
Posted by: Seymour Paine at May 9, 2008 2:12 PM
I agree with Hugh. Don't get sucked into the "we must support the moderate Sunnis vs. Iran" game. The Hariri group is the same old Muslim Brother crap. However, I do feel bad for the Christians trapped there who support neither side. Don't confuse them with the "Islamo-Christian" dhimmis who DO support Iran and Syria.
Here's a question for you: Since the 80s Lenanon War ended only because of an agreement that disarmed all factions BUT Hezbollah, why is war such a bad thing here? It was a "peace" that only existed because it was seen that war helped Israel. If that peace is now over, is it such a bad thing? "Ooooo, now Hezbollah will be able to rearm and coordinate for another war against Israel". Yeah, isn't that what they've been doing ANYWAY with zero interference from the Lebanese military or the UN? The only difference now is that they will probably be having to defend themselves on their Northern flank from Muslim Brother terrorists funded by Siniora and Hariri's Saudi allies. Is this really a bad thing?
Posted by: Abu Lahab at May 9, 2008 2:30 PM
Iran will have to be taught a lesson and soon - Perhaps we should sit back and see what the Saudis can do about teaching Iran. I don't feel like a I have a dog in any Shia -Sunni fight.
Posted by: MP at May 9, 2008 3:33 PM
Iran will have to be taught a lesson and soon - Perhaps we should sit back and see what the Saudis can do about teaching Iran. I don't feel like a I have a dog in any Shia -Sunni fight.
Posted by: MP at May 9, 2008 3:34 PM
A little in fighting is good for them, keeps them sharp, on their toes, numbers reduced...
Posted by: duh_swami at May 9, 2008 3:44 PM
The Lebanonese Army almost last one day...
Posted by: pulsar182 at May 9, 2008 4:13 PM
Coward Bush! Coward Rice! Saved Hezbollah from Israel 2 years ago with the UN cease-fire!
Now, the embattled Christians of Lebanon are in peril again.
The US and EUrabia are serial mass-traitors to Christians, wheather in Lebanon, Serbia, Indonesia, East Timor, Pakistan, Egypt or Sudan.
Ruslan Tokhchukov, EnragedSince1999.
Posted by: Enragedsince1999 at May 9, 2008 6:37 PM
Please, tell me, Marisol, why this Great White Shark youtube with the sinister Arabic music used on either "Fitna" or "Submission" keeps getting deleted? WHY?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WfAgizCr2Y
at May 9, 2008 6:55 PM
In addition, the savage beast Great White Shark is a perfect metaphor for what the Mohammedans are doing to innocent peoples worldwide. WHY DELETE???
Posted by: darcy at May 9, 2008 6:58 PM
It's off-topic.
Posted by: MarisolJW at May 9, 2008 9:17 PM
In this brief video, I thought the Arabic music accompanied the giant predatory beast (shark/Islam) quite fittingly, as it sought to devour the hapless and smaller seal in it's enormous and toothy maw.
Posted by: darcy at May 9, 2008 11:47 PM
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