Beirut is Cautiously Calm, while 7 Dead at Mount Lebanon

UPDATE 3   12:30 GMT - Hezbollah has just issued a communiqué saying that Waleed Jinbelat’s  Socialist Party militia had kidnapped three of its members, and executed two of them in Aleih.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

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UPDATE 2   12:20 GMT – Fouad Senyorah, Lebanese Prime Minister, in his first appearance during this crisis, Just made an important speech to the Lebanese people, saying that “We are facing a military revolt by Hezbollah, but the state will not fall”.

He also said that the government  never mentioned that it wants to remove the arms of Hezbollah. But It is time to startnegotiating about it. “The government did not start a war against Hezbollah, but it was Hezbollah who started the war” said Mr. Senyorah

The Prime Minister presented a solution for the crisis;

1- The two government “controversial” decisions (regarding the telecommunications of Hezbollah and the security of the airport) were not issued yet, and the decision will be for the army to issue and deal with.

2- Withdrawal of all military militia from the streets, and opening all roads immediately.

3-Appointing “the agreed  upon” General Sulaiman as president  immediately.

4- Issue an honor deal between all party’s media to stop acceleration.

His proposal is very close to the proposal that was issued yesterday by the royalist group.

He also asked the army to move and take his responsibility in protecting the people, property and the state. To stop and remove all armed militia from the streets considering all armed personnel outlaws. This request is very critical, because up to this point the army remained neutral in this crisis refusing to intervene. We have to see if how the army will reacts to this order.

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UPDATE 1 9:20 GMT – As Beirut being calm, fighting is reported at northern Lebanon. In Helba/Akkar, 40 kilometers north of Tripoli. Fighting is between the Nationalist Syrian Party (opposition) and members of the Future movement. Between 2 to 5 are reported dead.

In Darya at Kharoub province, the Future movement is handing over its centers and arms  to the Lebanese army.

In Beirut, an Armenian radio station belongs to Future movement is set on fire.

Politically, Qatari Prime minister said that he does not expect a lot to come out of the Arab Foreign Ministers meeting, as the solution must come from the Lebanese parties themselves.

Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, asked all Palestinians groups  in Lebanon to stay neutral, not to support any party in this crisis.

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BEIRUT May 10, 2008 5:45 GMT – Beirut is cautiously calm now after two days of fierce fighting that led to taking over west Beirut by the opposition forces led by Hezbollah, and the withdrawal of the loyalist forces from the area. The army is heavily spreading in the area. The offices of the loyalists; Future's movement and that of the Socialist Party were evacuated and handed over to the army.

However, fighting is reported in other parts outside Beirut. In Aleih, at Mount Lebanon, fighting is currently reported between the opposition and the Socialist Party. Seven people are reported dead. In the South, last night the opposition movement fought with the loyalists Future movement which led to people dead.

On the political front, the Arab foreign ministers meeting will be held tomorrow to discuss the situation. Washington and the European Union announced their support to the Lebanese government led by Fouad Senyora denouncing th acts of Hezbollah and the opposition. Kuwait and Saudi Arabia started evacuating their citizens from Lebanon.