Civil War in Lebanon?

The war of words between Lebanon's political leaders has finally turned into battles on the streets of Beirut. Today, gun battles have erupted in Beirut following a speech by Hezbollah's Secretary General, Hassan Nasrallah, in which he labeled the Lebanese government's decision to dismantle a Hezbollah operated communication network a "tantamount to a declaration of war."

Later, in his own televised address, Saad Hariri, leader of the Lebanese parliamentary majority, put the blame back on Hezbollah, saying: "What fate are you dragging the Muslims to - are you dragging us back to civil war?"

Tensions between Hezbollah and government forces had touched a new high on Tuesday after the government announced that it would close Hezbollah's private telecommunication network. The street fighting with automatic rifles and rocket-propelled grenades was reminiscent of the lawless days of the 1975-1990 civil war when various militias ran entire neighborhoods and battled over territory. With neither side apparently ready to back down, the situation is expected to escalate further.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia warned Hezbollah against escalating its confrontation with the government, warning that conflict would only benefit "extremist external forces," in an apparent reference to Iran.

"The kingdom urges the groups behind the escalation to reconsider their position, and to realize that leading Lebanon towards turmoil will not bring victory to any party except extremist external forces," the state news agency SPA quoted an official as saying.

Hezbollah and the opposition are backed by Iran and Syria while Saudi Arabia supports the Western-backed ruling majority. Has Lebanon become the new battlefield for Saudi Arabia and Iran, or is it edging closer towards civil war?

Jamal Dajani produces the Mosaic Intelligence Report on Link TV.

Follow Jamal Dajani on Twitter: www.twitter.com/jamaldajani

Comments

[danceswithyids]

Yeah it is all Israel's fault...like totally

[PWMarvin]

Here is Justin Raimondo’s take on the conflict from AntiWar.com. I hope he is wrong about the inevitability of war and the US’s involvement:

http://www.antiwar.com/justin/?articleid=12812

[ahansen23]

In the article: "Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia warned Hezbollah against escalating its confrontation with the government, warning that conflict would only benefit "extremist external forces," in an apparent reference to Iran."
1) I beg to differ, Saudi Arabia reference as "extremist external forces" is not Iran, it is Israel and El Qaeda. How would Iran benefit from a weaker Hezbollah.
2) Lebanon is not a new battlefield for Saudi Arabia and Iran. It has been and is a battlefield between US-Israel and Syria. Iran is secondary and helps their Shiite brethren in Lebanon. Iran has never been interested in controlling the destiny of Lebanon.

[Mark Bernadiner]

When Hrzbullah lounged a war on Israel and Israel fought back, EU, UN and eventually US jumped in to save Hezbullar from being defeated for future attacks on Israel, it is clear now how profoundly stupid they are.

[justice2008]

What are you talking about?... the US jumped in to save Hezbollah? The US wanted the war prolonged so that Israel can defeat Hezbollah but it failed!

[PWMarvin]

You didn't get one single fact right. Where do you get your news?

[rmreddicks]

By his spellings and grammatical logic I'd figure he got his facts from a bottle of liquid "Old Truth & Courage".

[leonardox1]

I am not a fan of Nasrallah but I believe him more than Mini Hariri or that weasle Jumblat. If Hezbollah wanted a civil war they would have done it a long time ago and taken over the country and declared Nasrallah president but they didn't which tells me that there are others from within and outside who want to see a civil war in the country.

[justice2008]

The Bush Administration is not going to leave office before setting the entire Middle East on fire. They support the Shias against the Sunnis in Iraq, the Sunnis against the Shias in Lebanon, Fatah against Hamas in Palestine and so on. Divide and conquer...unfortunately the Lebanese are falling for it.

[23000Days]

You're right. The powerless, American-backed gov't was the provocateur in this conflict. One cannot attempt to take away a functional part of a social enclave (I.E., hezbullah's phone service) and not expect resistance. It's not really civil war, but more a faction who will not tolerate the actions of an intolerable government. We may reach that point here someday, it's happened before.

[rmreddicks]

"We may reach that point here someday, it's happened before."

May it be so. And soon.

[newsjunkie5]

I agree with you jad114. Israel, the US, and the Saudis will all benefit from a civil war in Lebanon. Based on news reports I've read since the strike began, it seems as if Israel may be looking at the clashes in Lebanon as an opportunity to attack Hezbollah again. Then what? Will Iran intervene through Hezbollah or will they intervene directly?

[jad114]

I think that Hassan Nassrallah is resisting a civil war in Lebanon but it looks like outside forces are driviing a wedge between the Sunnis and the Shias. Who benefits? Israel, the United States and the Saudis. All of them do not want to see Iran's influence spreading in Lebanon.