Western Beirut was seized this Friday by the Shiite Militia in an attempt to demonstrate its power and influence to the American-backed Lebanese government.
The conflict arose after the Lebanese government denounced the private telecommunications network of the Shiites and took measures against it.
Aside from parading in the streets in military tanks and firing shots in the air to intimidate onlookers, militiamen forced a government-allied satellite television off the air.
They also burned the offices of the station's newspaper affiliate.
The Lebanese government is calling the sieze an "armed coup" and is requesting the aid of other nations. Although most of the fighting has occurred in Beirut, there have been sporadic gunfights in the Bekaa Valley, northern Lebanon and the Chouf mountains. The fighting has left 11 dead and 20 wounded.
1 comment:
If you would like further information, give a click:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/10/world/middleeast/10lebanon.html?pagewanted=1&hp
Post a Comment