Lebanon on edge of civil war

2008-05-09 09:05

Beirut - Sectarian fighting rocked the Lebanese capital for a third day on Friday as the country teetered on the brink of a new civil war, prompting urgent appeals for calm from the international community.

Sporadic gunfire and the thump of exploding rocket-propelled grenades could be heard through the night in various parts of west Beirut, where the fighting was concentrated between Sunni militants loyal to the Western-backed government and supporters of the Hezbollah-led opposition.

At least seven people were reported dead and dozens injured in fierce gunbattles that erupted after Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah declared that a government crackdown on his group was tantamount to a declaration of war.

Reminders of civil war

Armed militants could be seen walking about or hiding in buildings in the otherwise deserted streets of Beirut as gunfire rang out, in scenes ominously reminiscent of the 1975-1990 civil war.

The international community launched urgent appeals for calm in the deeply divided country amid fears of a descent into chaos after a bitter 18-month power struggle.

The managing editor of Al-Mustaqbal newspaper, which is run by the pro-government Future Movement, told AFP that opposition gunmen had circled the paper's building in west Beirut early on Friday, firing guns and rocket-propelled grenades and setting fire to the fourth floor of the six-storey building.

"There are a number of journalists and officials inside the building but luckily no one has been injured," George Bkassini said. He said troops arrived in the area shortly after the incident.

Air traffic, meanwhile, was set to be paralysed for the third straight day with no flights scheduled to land or take off from Beirut international airport, an airport official said.

The United States delivered a blunt warning to the Iranian- and Syrian-backed Hezbollah to stop its "disruptive activities" while UN Security Council members said they were "deeply concerned" over the crisis.

'Declaration of war'

Nasrallah delivered his fiery speech on Thursday, on the second day of anti-government protests which saw supporters of the feuding factions block roads in various parts of the country.

"The (government) decisions are tantamount to a declaration of war and the start of a war... on behalf of the United States and Israel," Nasrallah charged during a rare press conference.

The government on Tuesday launched a probe into a private communications network run by the powerful Shi'ite movement, which is seen in the West as a terrorist outfit and which critics say has become a "state within a state".

"The hand that touches the weapons of the resistance will be cut off," Nasrallah warned. "We have the right to confront he who starts a war with us by defending our rights and our weapons."

Nasrallah said Hezbollah was ready for dialogue but demanded the government rescind its measures against his movement.

Majority leader Saad Hariri made a television appeal to calm the situation saying the army could be put in charge of the decision on the communication network.

"My appeal to you and to myself as well. the appeal of all Lebanon, is to stop the slide toward civil war, to stop the language of arms and lawlessness," Hariri said.

- AFP