Lebanon calls for international assistance
13/05/2008
Lebanon's ruling political coalition has urged foreign powers to step up diplomatic and military pressure on Hezbollah.
The Islamist militant group has unleashed a wave of attacks within the country over the past week, leaving at least 58 dead in a rare departure from its usual strategy of solely targeting Israel.
Hezbollah is by far the strongest military force in the country and it enjoys widespread support among the civilian population for its social services and its tough rhetoric against the Jewish state.
But the events of the past few days - triggered by the expulsion of the pro-Hezbollah head of security at Beirut Airport and the shutting down of the militia's phone network - has left many Lebanese disenchanted with the group's strategy.
Late last week, Shiite Hezbollah militants stormed the western half of Beirut and crushed a band of fighters loyal to a leading Sunni faction.
The army responded by deploying troops to the streets and threatening to restore order by force, but low-level skirmishes across the country continue and leading politicians are now calling for foreign intervention aimed at the group.
Alluding to Hezbollah's foreign backers, Lebanese minister Nayla Mouawad said: "Iran took a decision to take Lebanon hostage, and from Lebanon … to be able to infiltrate much more easily the whole Arab world."
She added: "It is very obvious that we're not getting a clear-cut reaction from the US, Arabs and the international community which is sufficient to the gravity of the situation."
Israel bombed Hezbollah for 33 days in 2006 but failed to significantly dent the militia's strength or popular support.
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