Hezbollah Appears in Control of Lebanon

Associated Press (excerpt) ^ | July 16, 2006

[HAL9000]

Hezbollah and its backers, not the government, now appear in control of Lebanon's fate.

After moderating their stance in recent years, the guerrillas surged back to the war front with a surprise attack on Israel and a sophisticated arsenal, leaving Lebanon's politicians and army looking nearly powerless. The government seems paralyzed over how to deal with Hezbollah, whose Shiite Muslim fighters have had near autonomy in the south for more than a decade.

Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah acted Sunday like the man holding Lebanon's reins, though he looked tired and stressed as he vowed that his group had only begun to fight.

"We are in our full strength and power," he said on the group's Al-Manar TV. "Hezbollah is not fighting a battle for Hezbollah or even for Lebanon. We are now fighting a battle for the (Islamic) nation."

Over the recent days, the Hezbollah TV station has aired a constant stream of martial music and images of guerrillas firing rockets at Israel. Even amid Israeli airstrikes, Hezbollah managed to keep the station on the air _ aside from a brief interruption Sunday morning _ while Beirut-run utilities failed. Electricity remained knocked out across much of the city; firefighters ran out water to extinguish burning apartment buildings.

The Western-backed, anti-Syrian prime minister Fouad Saniora held back tears as he vowed on Lebanese television Saturday night to curb the guerrillas, desperate to stop Israel's onslaught.

But on Sunday, President Emile Lahoud _ a pro-Syrian and an ally of Hezbollah _ pronounced that Lebanon "will not surrender" to Israel's attempts to batter it into submission.

~ snip ~

[mtbopfuyn]

I see AP is cheerleading for Hez.

[Prodn2000]

No Sh!t !!!

[catholicfreeper]

Well this is the whole rub here. The Lebanese army is pretty powerless to do anything. I know that people hate the UN and getting them involved but I ma open to suggestions who can actually disarm these people so we can actually have the Lebanese troops on that border and not Hezbullah.

[Flavius]

i think idf is working on disarmament

[italianquaker]

Hizbullah will disarm only after Israel kills them

[aumrl]

"Disarm these people" ?? I suggest a more permanent solution

[petertare]

Just another example of muslims run amuck. The religion of peace continues to shine up this ol planet. If there is a conflict--its a safe bet the muslims are involved, rallying the poor illiterate dupes they control to throat-slitting frenzy.

But at least we can look to their great accomplishments in medicine, the arts, philosophy, hi-tech, philanthropy, and other great acts of noted civilizations. And they make some pretty dang nice blades, hacksaws, and other crude instruments of torture--the blade of choice of towel- headed jihadis of hill and dale worldwide.

[YOUGOTIT]

Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah Should be an endangered species.

[rennatdm]

The maniacs are definitely running the asylum now. Woe to them and those caught in the crossfire.

[ZULU]

"Hezbollah is not fighting a battle for Hezbollah or even for Lebanon. We are now fighting a battle for the (Islamic) nation."


The "House of 'Peace'" (Islam) versus the "House of War"
(us).

[YOUGOTIT]

The UN never disarmed anybody. The only way to peace is the complete destruction of the terrorist (that will disarm them)and their supporters as we had to do with the Nazi and the Japanese.

[Just A Nobody]

You can't honestly believe the UN can do anything worthwhile, can you? Half, or better, of the UN are probably members of the hezzies, hamass, queda etc. If not members, then financiers.

open to suggestions who can actually disarm these people

Think.............

[libstripper]

Elections last year gave Hezbollah a strong parliament presence of 11 lawmakers and two seats in the Cabinet, increasing predictions among many Lebanese that the group would abandon guerrilla action and become a political party.

All such speculation vanished in an instant Wednesday with Hezbollah's bold raid across the border to snatch two Israeli soldiers, sparking Israel biggest bombardment in 24 years.

Oh, how the illusions of the libs, here and in Israel, vannish in blood and fire.

[catholicfreeper]

Well that only occurs if Israel goes in there by force and does it up close and personal. Bombing will not do it alone. I am trying to find out what the status of moblisation of the reserves are In Israel.

[Continental Soldier]

What a government! A band of vicious outlaws operating within your borders and you can do nothing about it! Pitiful!

[libstripper]

You ignorant churl!! You've forgotten their greatest invention--the child sized suicide bomb vest.

[Flavius]

i think we should not know what the status is

[Sabramerican]

Western policy towards the Arab/Islamic Middle East is one long fairy tale.

There is a Democratically elected legitimate Lebanese Government.

Abbas and Fatah want peace, Hamas are the bad guys.

Egypt and Jordan are at peace with Israel.

The Saudis are our friends.

We can negotiate Iran from nuclear weapons.

Iraq will be a West friendly Democratic regime.

There would be peace if there was a "Palestinian" State.

Islam is a Religion of Peace.

More.

[catholicfreeper]

Well its been moblized and they have been pretty upfront about it on army radio and other channels that are broadcasting publically in Israel. I mean I dont mean like I want to broadcast future troop movement lol