Posted on 01/24/2007 12:39:57 PM PST by NormsRevenge
BEIRUT, Lebanon - Pro- and anti-government factions clashed for a second day in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli on Wednesday, a day after violence nationwide claimed three lives and injured more than 170 people.
Tripoli, the country's second largest city, saw some of the heaviest fighting on Tuesday, when a general strike called by the Hezbollah-led opposition sparked clashes with government supporters in Beirut and other parts of Lebanon.
The violence gave a frightening glance into the turmoil that could result from the long power struggle between pro-Iranian Hezbollah and the U.S.-backed govenrment of Prime Minister Fuad Saniora. In many places, including Tripoli, the clashes took on a sectarian tone, a deep concern in this fragile nation of multiple communities.
The fighting broke out Wednesday in Tripoli during the funeral of one of two men killed Tuesday, witnesses said.
As about 2,000 pro-government mourners headed for the cemetery in the Tabbaneh Sunni Muslim neighborhood, a gunbattle broke out between some of those in the crowd carrying automatic rifles and gunmen on an overlooking hill, according to witnesses and security officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. The gunmen on the hill were from the rival neighborhood of Jabal Mohsen — a stronghold of the pro-opposition Alawites, a Shiite Muslim offshoot sect.
Shops quickly shuttered and people fled indoors; the shooting died down half an hour later. Two people were shot in the legs, police said.
Late Tuesday, Hezbollah called an end to the general strike that sparked the day's clashes but warned that more protests could follow. Across the country Wednesday, a tense calm prevailed as cleaners swept smoldering car tires and bulldozers removed debris and other obstacles from major highways, put up by opposition protesters during the strike.
Saniora flew to France to attend an international donors' conference aimed at raising billions of dollars in aid for rebuilding the devastation caused by last summer's Israel-Hezbollah war.
Tuesday's violence was the worst escalation of the long standoff between the government and Hezbollah and its allies. The opposition is demanding the removal of Saniora's administration and the formation of a new Cabinet that would give Hezbollah and its allies more power.
The opposition has been holding a permanent sit-in outside Saniora's office to pressure him to step down, but the premier has refused.
The country's Sunni Muslims largely support Saniora, while Shiites back Hezbollah. Christians are divided, with most behind the government but a significant sector joining the opposition.
Just another day on the old spinning globe we call home.
A Lebanese soldier splashes water on burning tyres in the southern city of Sidon, Lebanon Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2007. Hezbollah-led opposition protesters paralyzed Lebanon Tuesday by burning tyres and cars at major thoroughfares in and around the capital, sparking clashes with government supporters amid a general strike aimed at toppling U.S.-backed Prime Minister Fuad Saniora. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)
Boy this turning into next reality show when Muslums go wild ROFL
Lebanese protesters hold banners and jump through burning blockades in the southern city of Sidon, Lebanon Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2007. Hezbollah-led opposition protesters paralyzed Lebanon Tuesday by burning tires and cars at major thoroughfares in and around the capital, sparking clashes with government supporters amid a general strike aimed at toppling U.S.-backed Prime Minister Fuad Saniora. The writing on banner in Arabic reads: 'Feltman government, we will topple it.' Referring to the U.S. ambassador to Lebanon, Jeffrey Feltman. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)
I wonder if maybe some of the French Youts are spending some time in Lebanon staying in shape, kind of like a Winter break. ;-)
It's a crazy world.
A protester waves a Hezbollah flag in front of burning tyres during a general strike called by the opposition in Sidon, south Lebanon January 23,2007. Thousands of Lebanese protesters blocked main roads in Beirut and around the country with rubble and burning tyres on Tuesday at the start of a general strike called by the opposition to try to topple the government. REUTERS/Aziz Taher (LEBANON)
Lebanon's Prime Minister Fouad Siniora (L) shakes hands with French President Jacques Chirac after their talks at the Elysee Palace in Paris, January 24, 2007. (Benoit Tessier/Reuters)
Jordan's King Abdullah II, seen here on 10 January 2007, has called on Iran to avoid "rattling stability" in Iraq, the Palestinian territories and Lebanon.(AFP/File/Khaled Desouki)
Cars move past earth barricades near a poster of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on the main road to Beirut airport January 24, 2007. REUTERS/Sharif Karim (LEBANON)
Yeah called it Weekend with Hezollah LOL!
A Lebanese man tries to extinguish a burning car set on fire by its driver, an opposition member, before running away in Beirut, Lebanon Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2007. Hezbollah-led opposition protesters paralyzed Lebanon Tuesday by burning tires and cars at major thoroughfares in and around the capital, sparking clashes with government supporters amid a general strike aimed at toppling U.S.-backed Prime Minister Fuad Saniora. (AP Photo)
torched by its own owner?
A Mercedes no less ,,, Or it looks like one).. the word fanatic comes to mind
I was wondering why I hadn't seen a whole lot of coverage on the latest outbreak of violence in Lebanon, and then realized that it was Hezbollah against the government.
When it comes to violence in the mideast, death and destruction seems secondary to whoever is causing it. As long as Israel isn't invovled, nobody seems to care much about it.
Just my own observation.
Let me clarify, I meant the UN, international community, other arab governments, the US media, etc don't seem to care all that much.
Thick black smoke from burning tires...that's gonna leave a carbon footprint!
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