Hezbollah Gunmen Take Beirut Neighborhoods

Secretary Of State Rice Accuses Militants Of Killing Innocent Civilians

(CBS/AP)  Unchallenged by the army, Iranian-backed Hezbollah routed Sunnis loyal to the U.S.-allied government and seized control of large swaths of Beirut's Muslim sector Friday, proving it is the most powerful force in Lebanon.

The move dramatically strengthened the Shiite militant group's hand in bitter political battles over the country's future.

At one point, about 100 Hezbollah militants wearing matching camouflage uniforms and carrying assault rifles marched down the city's main commercial street in a display of power meant to show the government who's in charge.

They took up positions in corners and sidewalks and stopped the few cars braving the empty streets to search their trunks.

Nearby, dozens of fighters from another Hezbollah-allied party appeared, some with their faces masked and carrying rocket-propelled grenade launchers. Elsewhere, Hezbollah-allied militiamen from the Syrian Social Nationalist Party drove in cars, firing in the air in celebration.

Lebanon's army largely stood aside as Shiite fighters scattered their opponents in street fights to occupy most of the capital's Muslim sector.

It was Lebanon's worst sectarian fighting in more than a decade and a grim harkening back to its devastating 1975-90 civil war. That war left Beirut divided into two main sectors, one predominantly Muslim and the other mainly Christian.

At least 15 people have been died in three days of violence.

Hours after the takeover, however, Hezbollah fighters began withdrawing from streets they had occupied and Lebanese troops began moving into some neighborhoods. Others remained on street corners across the area they control as the fighting began to ease.

Christian leader Michel Aoun, a close ally of Hezbollah, declared after Hezbollah's triumph that "the train is back on the right track" and predicted the situation will begin to de-escalate.

The pullback signaled Hezbollah did not intend a lasting takeover of the Sunni Muslim parts of Beirut, unlike the takeover of Gaza a year ago by the Islamic militant Hamas.

Hezbollah and allied gunmen steered away from government buildings and made no attempt to advance toward the city's Christian sector. Christian neighborhoods were peaceful, with troops deployed along the former old civil war demarcation line.

Yet the Hezbollah show-of-force was certain to both strengthen its own political position and deeply worry a Middle East and Western world nervous about Iran's influence and intentions in the region.

The Western-backed government and Hezbollah-led opposition have been deadlocked in a power struggle for 17 months over control of the government.

The stunning turn of events also dealt a blow to the U.S., which has long considered Hezbollah a terrorist organization backed by Syria and Iran, and has been a supporter of Prime Minister Fuad Saniora's government and its army over the last three years.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Hezbollah is killing and injuring innocent civilians and is "seeking to protect their state-within-a-state."

White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said the U.S. was very troubled by Hezbollah's actions.

"We urge Hezbollah to stop their attempt to defy the lawful decisions taken by the democratically elected Lebanese government. We also urge Iran and Syria to stop their support of Hezbollah and its destabilizing effects on Lebanon," he added. "We have confidence in the government of Lebanon."

Syria and Qatar agreed Friday that the crisis in Lebanon was an internal issue, and expressed hope that the Lebanese would find a solution through dialogue, reports CBS News' George Baghdadi in Damascus.

The joint statement was issued after a series of discussions earlier in the day between Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Qatari Emir Prince Hamad Bin Khaleefa Al-Thani.

"Talks dealt with the current developments in the region, in particular Lebanon, and view points were identical; that the crisis was an internal Lebanese issue," the statement said.

The political crisis has its roots in allegations of Syrian and Iranian interference in Lebanon. Hezbollah and its allies bolted out of the Cabinet 17 months ago and since then, Saniora has consistently refused their demands for veto power in a future administration.

Hezbollah, in turn, has besieged downtown Beirut with a sit-in, and has blocked the election of a president in parliament, leaving the country without a head of state since November.

Sporadic street clashes had broken out in the last year. But this week's intense violence began after the government tried to fire a Hezbollah-linked airport security chief and shut down a Hezbollah communications network.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, in a fiery speech Thursday, called those government decisions a "declaration of war." Shortly after his speech, the worst of the street clashes erupted and the Shiite forces overran Beirut neighborhoods.

"The government tried to show force by shutting down Hezbollah. Hezbollah showed force by pushing back the government," said Jon Alterman, director of the Center for Strategic and International Studies Middle East Program in Washington.

"Hezbollah emerged stronger and the government emerged weaker, but that's not to say that the government is weaker than Hezbollah," Alterman added.

Lebanon's top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah, said Friday he was confident that Lebanon will not drift toward an Iraq-styled sectarian strife.

[juwboy]

Now''s the time for all good Christian Americans to show their support for all good Christian Lebanese Arabs in the face of this threat from feral Moslem Lebanese Arab thugs.

[closethippy1]

Hezbollah knows the vast majority of Arab public opinion is on their side and that''s why the US @ss kissing king of Saudi Arabia called for the pro US Lebanese Prime Minister, Fuoad Siniora, to step down.
That''s simply amazing.
Pro US forces are getting their butts kicked in Lebanon by Hezbollah, in Iraq by Sadr, and in Palestine by Hamas.
And this is no coincidence. These movements have the strength to fight off pro US forces because people are on their side.
One way or another people in the Middle East will implement their own type of democracy to make sure their voices are heard and not allow the US sellouts in their midst to have the last word.

[eggy1620]

This is my dusty rock!

No, this is MY dusty rock!

NO! This is MY dusty Rock!

etc., etc., etc.

[ajaxtheleast]

Okay, you wake up tomorrow, all terrorists

are dead, the sun is shinning bright, doves

flying all over the ***--in'' place, no

need for comment boards, we''re back to playing

with our selves . .not a bad idea though, but is

this what you really want?

[singingrick]

If only we had spent the three trillion dollars that were going to spend trying to steel Iraq''s oil, on developing the sustainable energy technologies that we already have. We''d be well on our way to energy independence. We could sending money and blood to the middle east for good.

But that takes forward thinking leadership. Something conservatives seem completely incapable of.

[singingrick]

If only we had spent the three trillion dollars that were going to spend trying to steel Iraq''s oil, on developing the sustainable energy technologies that we already have. We''d be well on our way to energy independence. We could stop sending money and blood to the middle east for good.

But that takes forward thinking leadership. Something conservatives seem completely incapable of.

[freemans6]

the war in lebanon caused by nasrala group of terorist and shoud be wiped out sooner then what they think is matter of time if the dont change attitude work for lebanon instead of working for iran and sirya i say to hezbalah suporter don''t be exited your day is coming because you don''t see for long distance and this how the USA goverment want you to be so you are the weak link start to change or you will be gone forever don''t fool yourself you can''t stand up againt USA you not even have small chance so give it up this my advise to you lebanon. free mans

[frankson2]

THIS NONSENSE GOES TO SHOW YOU CAN NEVER AND I REPEAT NEVER DEFEAT AN ENEMY COMPOSED OF A BUNCH OF RELIGIOUS FANATICS WHO WILL GLADLY LAY DOWN THEIR OWN LIVES FOR THEIR CAUSE. I ONLY HOPE THAT SOMEDAY WE GET ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO WILL BE HONEST ENOUGH TO ADMIT IT.

[freemans6]

the war in lebanon caused by nasrala group of terorist and shoud be wiped out sooner then what they think is matter of time if the dont change attitude work for lebanon instead of working for iran and sirya i say to hezbalah suporter don''t be exited your day is coming because you don''t see for long distance and this how the USA goverment want you to be so you are the weak link start to change or you will be gone forever don''t fool yourself you can''t stand up againt USA you not even have small chance so give it up this my advise to you lebanon. free mans

[pentangyl]

That counrty was never democratic! It ia a western influenced, Shiite majority ruled by a minority Sunni! If it was really democratic, the majority Shiite would hold political control!

[roadracer9x]

Lebanon was primarily Christian before the Muslims there started reproducing like rabbits(4 wives x 10 kids each and it doesn''t take long). Then the Shiites started setting up roadblocks near Christian towns and executing any Christians, including whole families, that might venture out. Google "Brigitte Gabriel", she was a lucky Christian Arab who escaped and now tells her story to audiences around the world.

[notblue]

Muslim extremist are taking large areas by force, this campaign of carnage is a typical negotiating tool of the savage jihadists, assimilate or die.

[prinzowhales]

The Saudi and US-backed minority regime in Lebanon is provoking the confrontation. This is the regime whose army stayed in its barracks when the nation was invaded by the Israelis...Naturally these cowards have the backing of the Bush Regime. Hezb'' allah saved the nation from occupation by the Israelis once...they repelled the last Israeli invasion with heavy casualties...The bought dogs of Israel and its allies are betraying Lebanon.

[prinzowhales]

The Christian allies of Israel were known as "Phlangists"...they tortured, raped, murdered over two thousand Palestinian women and children in refugee camps as Israeli forces surrounded the camps and fired flares overhead to light their work.

As the Israelis ended their first occupation, many Phlangist stooges were betrayed by the Israelis who refused to allow them to flee into Israel.

[prinzowhales]

The Saudi-backed Sunni are siding with the animals who left over a million bomblets under the feet of Lebanese children when they retreated into Israel.

Isn''t that precious? Treacherous Sunnis, Saudis, Americans and Israelis all working together against the people of Lebanon. Wahabbists, al Qaeda assets, Israelis and Americans all on the same page in Lebanon just as they are in Iraq.

[prinzowhales]

Fork the Lebanese Government! A government that refuses to protect its citizens from Israeli invaders does not deserve obedience--only scorn!

[notblue]

Prinzo, read the headlines fool. The Muslim terrosits are taking by force froim the democratically elected government. your attempt to spin this fact is radiculous.

[fibonacci_]

Bunch of little religious brains.

[prinzowhales]

Look Sunnis! You are being betrayed by your leaders in Lebanon...being betrayed by the friends of Israel...who killed thousands in the bombardment of Beirut. If you are silly enough to trust the Saudis and the Americans, you will end up like the Iraqis.

[closethippy1]

Hezbollah has more Christian allies than you''d like to know.
A few months ago they had parliamentary elections where the US media expected two anti-Hezbollah Christians to win but guess what happened?
They were both defeated by pro Hezbollah Christians who were voted in power by the Lebanese Christians themselves.
When Hamas won the biggest and freest elections in the history of the Arab world back in 2006 they had 6 Palestinian Christian candidates running for them.
I repeat, religion has nothing to do with this. It''s all about who is pro or anti US strategy.
And after everything the Israelis and the US have done in Palestine, Lebanon and Iraq, any and all pro US Arab forces should be done away with for good.
And that''s exactly what''s happening: Sadr and his Mahdi army in Iraq, Hamas in Palestine and now Hezbollah in Lebanon are kicking the butts of those traitors that have been bought with US money.
The Middle East is their turf and there''s no way in hell they''re going to let the US and Israel have the last word over there.

[hungry1968]

Maybe we''ll get lucky and they''ll take Israel too.

[freemans6]

the war in lebanon caused by nasrala group of terorist and shoud be wiped out sooner then what they think is matter of time if the dont change attitude work for lebanon instead of working for iran and sirya i say to hezbalah suporter don''t be exited your day is coming because you don''t see for long distance and this how the USA goverment want you to be so you are the weak link start to change or you will be gone forever don''t fool yourself you can''t stand up againt USA you not even have small chance so give it up this my advise to you lebanon. free mans

[prinzowhales]

notblue--The government is trying to dismantle the Hezb''allah communications grid at the airport...the government abandonned the people of southern Lebanon to the Israelis...and the people of Lebanon rallied to Hezb''allah...Sunnis, Christians and Shia! The monied interests in Beirut are trying to betray the very people who held Israel at bay and kept them from taking the Litani River and keeping it.

[hungry1968]

Prinzo, read the headlines fool. The Muslim terrosits are taking by force froim the democratically elected government. your attempt to spin this fact is radiculous.

Posted by notblue at 12:54 PM : May 09, 2008





Did you know that Hamas is the democratically elected government of the Palestinian people?

Why do you uphold one democratically elected government over another?

[notblue]

Hungry, did you know Hamas is a listed terrorist organization? Yes Hamas was democratically elecetd. Waht doews that fact ahve to do with the fact that Hezbollah was not? Does that mean elected or not the miltants havea right to their agenda of destruction?

[miamimama3]

Bunch of freaks who hate everyone, including their own. Their mission in life is to keep everyone illiterate and brainwashed. Ignorance breeds more ignorance. In 1000 years, they''ll still be fighting over the same ***. Maybe if we wait long enough, the sunni and shiite extremists will wipe themselves out. Good grief, they can''t even get along with people in their own religion.

[miamimama3]

To MyOpinion1,

Very well said. :)

[freemans6]

the war in lebanon started by palestinian since 1975 when lebanon let in the palestinian as refugees in to lebanon and they started to arm themself to fight the lebanese and the kiled women and children have they forgton the the history ?

[hungry1968]

Hungry, did you know Hamas is a listed terrorist organization? Yes Hamas was democratically elecetd. Waht doews that fact ahve to do with the fact that Hezbollah was not? Does that mean elected or not the miltants havea right to their agenda of destruction?

Posted by notblue at 01:11 PM : May 09, 2008





My point is that Hamas was the democratially elected government, but WE (as in America) and Israel overthrew them and replaced them with Fatah.

Why aren''t you concerned with THAT democratically elected government, but you''re worried about the other one?


As far as Hamas being a terrorist organization, only four countries recognize that: the US, Israel, Canada, and Japan. And if Israel wasn''t making ALL of our political decisions for us, we wouldn''t consider them a terrorist organization either.

[closethippy1]

Hezbollah, Hamas and Sadr''s party were all elected to power by democratic means. They were not put there by colonial powers like the Saudi family and the entire leadership of the Gulf states.
These movements were born from the people for the people and they have the support of the vast majority of the Arab world.
That''s why they''re here to stay. Deal with it.
Grow the f'' up and deal with it.

[notblue]

Hungry, as usual you responded to just a part of my response. Since Hezbollah is not the DEMOCRATICALLY elected representative government do they have the right to take areas and or the country by force? It''s a simple question.

[freemans6]

i say to hezbalah suporter what are you fighting for ? you have no cause you are dying for nothing and the devil taking your mind and soul your children and man who dying for nothing all because nasrala say so blind lead blind and the both fell into pit dont be blind open your eyes to reality and be free from that blind man who will lead you to die all because hes cause and personel greed lebanon free man

[hungry1968]

HAMAS, THE "HUNGRY" KILLING MACHINE

Posted by dumbshun at 01:32 PM : May 09, 2008



Hamas "terrorists" killed 27 people in 2007.

The IDF "terrorists" killed 650 people in 2007, and 120 of those were children.

Which group of "terrorists" has killed more people - the IDF or Hamas?

[notblue]

Hungry, isn''t Hamas still the governing body in Palestine?

Closethppy, so according to you if the vast majority of the Muslim owrld supports 6th century theocratic barbarism who''s agenda is one of world domination then we all should just live with it? Thanks for that statement it was very illuminating in regards to your thought process.

[dorlockt]

Ba*lls in your mouth mohammed! My m*otherf*ucking ba*lls in your mouth!

[hungry1968]

Hungry, as usual you responded to just a part of my response. Since Hezbollah is not the DEMOCRATICALLY elected representative government do they have the right to take areas and or the country by force? It''''s a simple question.

Posted by notblue at 01:35 PM : May 09, 2008



No they don''t.

EXACTLY like Israel DOES NOT have the right to take over areas of the palestinian people like Gaza, the "occupied territories", the Golan heights, etc.



Now I answered YOUR question, now answer mine:

"Since Israel is not the DEMOCRATICALLY elected representative government of the palestinian people, do they have the right to take areas and or the country by force?"



Why do you view one situation differently from the other, when politically, they are the EXACT SAME THING?

[notblue]

Hungry, thank you for that response, No country including Israel has the right to take land by force. I beleive it was the first time you actually admitted the Muslim extremists are some times WRONG, I will take that and run with it.

[hungry1968]

Hungry, isn''''t Hamas still the governing body in Palestine?

Closethppy, so according to you if the vast majority of the Muslim owrld supports 6th century theocratic barbarism who''''s agenda is one of world domination then we all should just live with it? Thanks for that statement it was very illuminating in regards to your thought process.

Posted by notblue at 01:38 PM : May 09, 2008




Nope. They were overthrown by Fatah with the assistance of Israel and the US. That''s why there will NEVER be a legitimate peace process - because the US and Israel both refuse to sit down with the democratically elected government of the Palestinian people. They want to sit down with the government they "installed" instead.

Do you have ANY idea what is really going on over there?

[perceptions5]

The IDF "terrorists" killed 650 people in 2007, and 120 of those were children.

Which group of "terrorists" has killed more people - the IDF or Hamas?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by hungry1968
------------------------------
hungry1968 how did you ever get so contaminated?

Between you McVet, j-whitman, bluestardad, skyk, and the other "regular" liberal Democrats it''s a wonder why our country is in the shape it''s in today.

Do you also believe, like Rosie O''Donnell, that building #7 at the World Trade Center was brought down by "controlled explosions?

[hungry1968]

Closethppy, so according to you if the vast majority of the Muslim owrld supports 6th century theocratic barbarism who''''s agenda is one of world domination then we all should just live with it? Thanks for that statement it was very illuminating in regards to your thought process.

Posted by notblue at 01:38 PM : May 09, 2008




Who EVER said that was their agenda?

Name ONE, just ONE, source. And NOT the Quran either - I''m talking about a current political leader or party, that called for this "agenda" to begin.

[closethippy1]

Neither Hamas nor Hezbollah nor Sadr want to take over the world. Get f.ucking real, will you?
You''re so f.ucking ignorant you''re confusing AlQaeda with legitimate resistance movements.
Only in America people who are ignorant feel passionate about subjects they know nothing about.

[perceptions5]

Nope. They were overthrown by Fatah with the assistance of Israel and the US. That''''s why there will NEVER be a legitimate peace process - because the US and Israel both refuse to sit down with the democratically elected government of the Palestinian people. They want to sit down with the government they "installed" instead.

Do you have ANY idea what is really going on over there?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by hungry1968
-----------------------------

Hungry1968 you don''t get it.

Iran is in a world war right now.

They control Hamas,Hezbollah, and the illegal militas in Iraq.

ONLY when Iran says there can be peace there will be peace.

Iran hold ALL the power over these three groups as well as Syria. All these groups are NOT ALLOWED to make peace with Israel.

We can ALL thank Jimmy Carter for the worst move in the 20th century, publicly withdrawing support from the Shah of Iran in 1979........Thanks Jimmy.

[hungry1968]

Hungry, thank you for that response, No country including Israel has the right to take land by force. I beleive it was the first time you actually admitted the Muslim extremists are some times WRONG, I will take that and run with it.

Posted by notblue at 01:42 PM : May 09, 2008





I don''t have to "admit" anything - I say ALL of the time that we should cut our ties with BOTH sides of this "holy war", since their religious beliefs have NOTHING to do with OUR government, OUR safety, or OUR security. But OUR involvement, in THEIR affairs, does make us susceptible to terrorists.

I''m really glad to see this comment from you, "No country including Israel has the right to take land by force." It''s the first time that you''ve ever said that the 1948 invasion of Palestine was wrong of Israel to do.

[yongamerica]

While its noble that the Lebanese Army wants to remain impartial, one of its missions is to protect businesses and business assets. Here they have failed miserably by letting these waring militia''s destroy portions of Lebanon''s infrastructure.

Apparently Lebanon does not have the necessary forces, and strength to control either of these two militias.
Iraq should watch and learn that allowing religious militia''s to exist in their country undermines the nation, destroying any chance for long term peace within the nation. The resulting instability damages the nations ability to create and maintain industries and prosperity.

[one-american]

"Only in America people who are ignorant feel passionate about subjects they know nothing about."

Posted by closethippy1 at 01:46 PM : May 09, 2008


You are speaking of yourself, obviously.

So why don''t you take your own advice?

[yongamerica]

Do you have ANY idea what is really going on over there?
Posted by hungry1968

Apparently you have no idea what is going on over there either. Your remarks were incorrect and displayed vast ignorance of the subject.

[hungry1968]

Between you McVet, j-whitman, bluestardad, skyk, and the other "regular" liberal Democrats it''''s a wonder why our country is in the shape it''''s in today.

Do you also believe, like Rosie O''''Donnell, that building #7 at the World Trade Center was brought down by "controlled explosions?

Posted by perceptions5 at 01:43 PM : May 09, 2008





Our country is in the shape it''s in, because of neo con inspired, republican leadership - NOTHING else. If us "libs" had ANYTHING to do with this country, 95% of our domestic problems would be fixed, and we wouldn''t be in Iraq bankrupting our country.

[hungry1968]

Iran is in a world war right now.

They control Hamas,Hezbollah, and the illegal militas in Iraq.

ONLY when Iran says there can be peace there will be peace.

Posted by perceptions5 at 01:49 PM : May 09, 2008





That''s what YOUR handlers want you to believe.

Admit this - Saddam Hussein held Iran in check, and he prevented almost ALL of Iran''s influence in the region. True or False?



The answer is "true". That being said, wouldn''t Bush''s removal of S. Hussein be THE SINGLE MOST DESTABILIZING event of the entire mid east?

Welcome to the "liberal" point of view.

[hungry1968]

Posted by cbsjerks2008 at 01:50 PM : May 09, 2008



Cry all you want - the UN election commission over saw the election and certified the result.

Because Israel and the US didn''t like the result, doesn''t mean that the election wasn''t real.

[freemans6]

tell me what am hearing is it true hezbalha want to rule in lebanon the can''t even last one day in power before the set lebanon on fire is this how ya chi3a want to live ? bye those thugs i can see on the photo is this future and the image for lebanon you want to be there still time to change all this. who that man nasrala ? he live all hes life in iran he been send to lebanon for a cause of iran you know what that mean he is betrayter so wake up poeple and start thinking before you comited to that man you are free mans dont folow that man he is the devil himself . lebanon freeman