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Hezbollah Chief: Beirut 'War Has Started'

Open violence rattles streets a second day

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted May 8, 2008 3:15 PM CDT

(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.”

A gunman fires during clashes in Beirut.
A gunman fires during clashes in Beirut.   (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
Lebanese soldiers stand guard, foreground, as opposition activists burn tires during a protest Wednesday.
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.
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.
Lebanese soldiers stand guard near burning tires during an opposition protest in Beirut Wednesday.   (AP Photo/Mahmoud Tawil)
Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah speaks from his hiding place Thursday.
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.
Hezbollah supporters smoke as they sit on debris barriers that block the highway to Lebanon's international airport.   (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
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