Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

July 25, 2008 12:40:56 PM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Hezbollah Chief: Beirut 'War Has Started'

Posted May 8, 08 3:15 PM CDT in World 

(Newser) – What began as a strike yesterday is now “open war” in Lebanon, according to Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, CNN reports. Open violence continued for a second day today, with loyalists and opposition fighters clashing after the US-backed government tried to muscle through measures against Hezbollah on Monday, including a crackdown on the Syria- and Iran-friendly group’s communications network.

Nasrallah called for compromise with the government, which has been in crisis for some 17 months, but also issued a warning, the AP reports: “Those who shoot at us, we will shoot at them. The hand raised against us, we will cut it off.” A government official called the statement “a direct threat of assassination.”

Sources CNN, Associated Press

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Hezbollah Included in Lebanon Unity Government

    Jul 11, 08 1:15 PM CDT
    Hezbollah Included in Lebanon Unity Government Lebanon’s political factions finally formed a unity government today, Reuters reports, with militant group Hezbollah included in the coalition formed after weeks of wrangling. With Hezbollah and its allies effectively holding veto power, it appears Syria—long allied with the militants—will regain some of the dominance it long held in Lebanon—where fears of civil war are now greatly diminished. More »

  • Lebanon Pays High Price to Avert Civil War

    May 22, 08 9:15 AM CDT
    Lebanon Pays High Price to Avert Civil War 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 »

  • Hezbollah Pulling Gunmen From Beirut

    May 10, 08 12:56 PM CDT
    Hezbollah Pulling Gunmen From Beirut Hezbollah began withdrawing gunmen today from Beirut after winning concessions from the Lebanese army to overturn the government measures that sparked days of fierce fighting. The army, a neutral player in the ongoing struggle between the insurgent political group and the Western-backed government, said it would reinstate Beirut airport’s security chief and would maintain Hezbollah’s military communications network, Reuters reports. More »

  • Lebanon Condemns 'Armed Coup'

    May 9, 08 1:48 PM CDT
    Lebanon Condemns 'Armed Coup' Hezbollah’s takeover of Beirut is nothing less than an “armed coup,” Lebanon’s ruling party said today. “The armed and bloody coup which is being implemented aims to return Syria to Lebanon and extend Iran's reach to the Mediterranean,” one official in the US-backed government said. The militant group made further progress, the New York Times reports, with troops loyal to the government disappearing and Hezbollah knocking state TV off the air. More »

  • Hezbollah Seizes Muslim Beirut

    May 9, 08 6:12 AM CDT
    Hezbollah Seizes Muslim Beirut Hezbollah militants have taken control of Muslim areas of Beirut and now control all the roads to the Lebanese capital's airport, Reuters reports. Gunmen forced a pro-government TV station off the air. At least 11 people have been killed, including those trying to flee the city, as sectarian violence continued into a third day. More »

A gunman fires during clashes in Beirut.   (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah speaks from his hiding place Thursday.   (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
Hezbollah supporters smoke as they sit on debris barriers that block the highway to Lebanon's international airport.   (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
Lebanese soldiers stand guard, foreground, as opposition activists burn tires during a protest Wednesday.   (AP Photo/Mahmoud Tawil)
Opposition activists burn a car during a protest called by labor unions in Beirut on Wednesday.   (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
Lebanese soldiers stand guard near burning tires during an opposition protest in Beirut Wednesday.   (AP Photo/Mahmoud Tawil)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (1 of 3)

Tags

Iran  • Syria  • Lebanon  • Hezbollah  • sectarian violence  • civil war  • Fouad Siniora  • Saad al-Hariri  • Hassan Nasrallah


Loading...

Loading...

Today's Most Popular


Other World Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »