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The Epic Of The Fall - World Shits Collective Pants As Hezbullah Makes Clear The Lebanese State Exists At Its Sufferance

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Previous Entry World Shits Collective Pants As Hezbullah Makes Clear The Lebanese State Exists At Its Sufferance May. 9th, 2008 @ 06:11 pm Next Entry
Envoys rush to contain crisis in Lebanon

By Andrew England and Roula Khalaf

Published: May 9 2008 21:42 | Last updated: May 9 2008 23:08

As Hizbollah on Friday seized control of western parts of Beirut, the Lebanese capital, Arab and western officials embarked on a flurry of activity amid fears that the conflict could grow into a wider regional crisis.

A US official said the pro-western government was being undermined by the “criminal acts of an illegitimate armed gang”, in reference to Hizbollah, while the weak Lebanese administration accused the Shia militant group of conducting a coup d’état.

Washington has been a key backer of the government of Fouad Siniora, the prime minister, while Hizbollah is supported by Iran and Syria. The stand-off between the opposing factions has become part of a wider struggle for influence in the Middle East between the US, its Sunni allies and Tehran.

An adviser to Saudi Arabia’s government, which has been a staunch backer of Mr Siniora’s administration, said the events in Beirut had been met “with complete and utter dismay”.

“This is something we will not tolerate and the red line has clearly been crossed,” the adviser told the Financial Times, although it was not clear what measures Saudi Arabia would take. The kingdom and Egypt, the region’s two diplomatic heavyweights, have called for an emergency meeting of Arab League ministers.

At least 18 people have been killed in Beirut clashes over the past three days, which have involved gun battles and rocket-propelled grenade fire. Hizbollah on Friday shut down a pro-government newspaper and television station and tightened its grip on the capital in a powerful display of force. There were also reports of clashes in the north and parts of the Bekaa valley.

Syria described the crisis as an internal affair and Iran blamed “the adventurist interferences” of the US and Israel for the violence. The US and Israel regard Hizbollah as a terrorist group, but it is viewed in the Arab world as a legitimate resistance movement fighting the Jewish state.
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From:[info]byzantine_ruins
Date: May 9th, 2008 10:13 pm (UTC)
(Link)
Nuclear arms in the Middle East
Israel is attacking the Iraqis
The Syrians are mad at the Lebanese
And Baghdad does whatever she please
Looks like another threat to world peace
For the envoy

Things got hot in El Salvador
CIA got caught and couldn't do no more
He's got diplomatic immunity
He's got a lethal weapon that nobody sees
Looks like another threat to world peace
For the envoy
Send the envoy
Send the envoy

Whenever there's a crisis
The President sends his envoy in
Guns in Damascus
Woa, Jerusalem

Nuclear arms in the Middle East
Israel is attacking the Iraqis
The Syrians are mad at the Lebanese
And Baghdad do whatever she please
Looks like another threat to world peace
For the envoy
Send the envoy . . .
(Leave a comment)
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