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Mon May 12 2008
Fighting in Lebanon as US-Backed Government Clashes with Hezbollah
81 Dead in Lebanon as Hezbollah Clashes with US-Backed Pro-Government Forces
After months of increasing political anxiety in Lebanon following the failure to elect a president, tensions rose last week, in what appears to have been a calculated challenge to Hezbollah on the part of the US and Lebanon's ruling coalition.

On May 8th, Hezbollah leader Nasrallah held a press conference in Beirut and 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 critical to their success during the July 2006 war with Israel. Hezbollah-led opposition forces quickly overpowered pro-government militias and took over large parts of the capital city of Beirut 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 on May 12th.

Between May 7th and May 11th, armed clashes between Hezbollah-led opposition groups and US-backed pro-government forces left at least 81 dead and many more wounded. "This is very much similar to what is happening in Sudan, in Palestine, in Iraq, in Afghanistan and Somalia, [where] the United States is basically instigating and funding civil wars," says professor As`ad Abu Khalil.

imc_calendar.gif Monday May 12th Peace Vigil At U.C. Merced

imc_audio.gif Democracy Now! | Yet Another Foreign Policy Opportunity Screwed Up by the Bush Administration | Hezbollah makes show of strength against Siniora government | Clashes resume in north Lebanon | Day 5: Lebanese dare to hope worst is over | Hizballah, in opposition, takes charge | Lebanon in crisis: an interview with editor Samah Idriss | Lebanon army moves to end crisis | Both Sides Take Tough Line, Leave Room To Maneuver | Analysts say Lebanon's crisis in perilous new phase | Uncertainty in Beirut | Lebanon takes 2 Steps toward Civil War; Beirut in Chaos | Hizbullah Rejects Hariri Initiative | Is the Bush Administration Stirring the Pot? | Lebanon on brink of civil war | At least seven lives lost to clashes in Beirut, Bekaa, North | Hezbollah 'seizes west Beirut' | Violence in Lebanon escalates | Airport shut, at least 10 injured as mobs do battle in capital | Violence in Beirut | Beirut paralysed by labour strike
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