Hezbollah Threatens to Break Lebanese Government

Najib MIqati to form new government

(NEWSER) - Hezbollah's chosen candidate has won enough support to be appointed as Lebanon's new prime minister, sparking angry protests across the country and warnings of chaos to come. The government Najib Miqati forms may end up strongly resembling previous governments, but the symbolism of Hezbollah, once a shadowy militant group, picking the country's prime minister is vast, the New York Times notes. More»

Hezbollah pulls out ahead of expected indictments in assassination

(AP) - President Obama and Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri today declared their commitment to strengthening Lebanon's independence even as Hezbollah ministers forced the year-old unity government to collapse. Hariri cut today's White House visit short amid his nation's political crisis and immediately left for France to consult with Nicolas Sarkozy before returning to Beirut. More»

(NEWSER) - Lebanon's pro-Western coalition claimed victory a parliamentary election today, striking a blow against Iran and Syria, Reuters reports. "Congratulations to democracy, congratulations to freedom," coalition leader Saad al-Hariri said in a speech in Beirut. Official results are due tomorrow, but the Hezbollah led-bloc is already admitting defeat. "We accept the result as the will of the people," said one lawmaker on the losing side. More»

One pushes liberal economy, the other Islamic militancy

(NEWSER) - Hezbollah is inching towards greater control in Lebanon as the nation gears up for June’s parliamentary elections. The Shiite group, which favors spurning the West and resisting Israel with arms, is in a minority coalition, but winning a handful of seats could change that, GlobalPost reports. Its opposition, led by Sunni leader Saad al-Hariri, opposes arming Hezbollah and envisions an open-market, liberal society. More»

Deal achieves short-term peace, but strengthens Hezbollah

(NEWSER) - The agreement that ended Lebanon's 18-month political crisis is nothing less than a sea change for the country, writes the Washington Post, strengthening Hezbollah and dealing a blow to America and its Middle East allies. The US-backed government in Beirut said that the last-minute deal averted a civil war, but gives Hezbollah many of its demands—including a veto over any cabinet decision. More»