81 Dead in Lebanon As Hezbollah Clashes With US-Backed Pro-Government Forces

In Lebanon, armed clashes since last Wednesday between Hizballah-led opposition groups and US-backed pro-government forces have left at least 81 dead and many more wounded. Opposition forces overpowered pro-government militias and took over large parts of the capital city of Beirut late last week before handing over control to the Lebanese army.

The fighting shifted to the north and east of the country over the weekend and fresh clashes were reported in Beirut this morning. Meanwhile the Arab League has agreed to send a high-level political delegation to Lebanon to dialogue with leaders from all sides.

The violence, which has been described as the worst since the Civil War, erupted last week during a general strike called by the General Federation of Labor Unions to protest the high cost of living.

On Thursday Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah held a press conference in Beirut to mark what he called the beginning of a “new era” in Lebanese politics. He condemned a decision by the Lebanese cabinet to outlaw Hezbollah"s telecommunication network and dismiss the head of Airport security for his alleged ties to the party. Nasrallah said their private communication network was a vital tool in combat and critical to their success during the July 2006 war with Israel. He described the government crackdown as “tantamount to a declaration of war.”

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice criticized Hezbollah and declared US support for the Lebanese government led by Prime Minister Fouad Siniora. But after four days of fighting Siniora capitulated and announced Saturday that the decision regarding Hezbollah’s demands now lay in the hands of the Lebanese army. The army commander General Michel Suleiman is slated to be the new President of the country.

As`ad Abu Khalil, professor of political science at the California State University, Stansilaus and the creator of the Angry Arab News Service blog at angryarab.blogspot.com

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