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Lebanon army moves to end crisis Lebanon army moves to end crisis
(40 minutes later)
Lebanon's army has overturned two key government measures in an attempt to defuse tensions between the pro-western government and Shia group Hezbollah.Lebanon's army has overturned two key government measures in an attempt to defuse tensions between the pro-western government and Shia group Hezbollah.
The army said the Hezbollah-allied head of security at Beirut airport should remain in his post and the group's phone network be maintained.The army said the Hezbollah-allied head of security at Beirut airport should remain in his post and the group's phone network be maintained.
A row over the two issues sparked violence which left at least 24 dead.A row over the two issues sparked violence which left at least 24 dead.
Both sides have agreed to an army call to withdraw gunmen, but Hezbollah says it will continue "civil disobedience".Both sides have agreed to an army call to withdraw gunmen, but Hezbollah says it will continue "civil disobedience".
A Hezbollah statement said: "The Lebanese opposition will end all armed presence in Beirut so that the capital will be in the hands of the army."A Hezbollah statement said: "The Lebanese opposition will end all armed presence in Beirut so that the capital will be in the hands of the army."
High stakes of Lebanon's crisisIn pictures: Battle for BeirutHigh stakes of Lebanon's crisisIn pictures: Battle for Beirut
But the statement added that the opposition's campaign of "civil disobedience" would continue until its political demands were met.But the statement added that the opposition's campaign of "civil disobedience" would continue until its political demands were met.
Reuters news agency says the withdrawal of Hezbollah fighters has already started.Reuters news agency says the withdrawal of Hezbollah fighters has already started.
The agreement followed an appeal by the army amid renewed violence in the north of the country in which at least 10 militants died.The agreement followed an appeal by the army amid renewed violence in the north of the country in which at least 10 militants died.
Funeral shootingsFuneral shootings
Lebanon's army is perceived as the country's only neutral arbiter, and analysts predicted it would be key to defusing the current crisis.Lebanon's army is perceived as the country's only neutral arbiter, and analysts predicted it would be key to defusing the current crisis.
The BBC's Jim Muir, in Beirut, says the army's proposals offer a face-saving compromise that allows the government to back down from the controversial decisions that led to the crisis.
He says the streets are expected to be calmer and the international airport is likely to reopen.
Earlier, Prime Minister Fouad Siniora called on the army to restore law and order, saying the country would not fall to Hezbollah after four days of street battles which saw the Shia movement drive supporters of the government out of western Beirut.Earlier, Prime Minister Fouad Siniora called on the army to restore law and order, saying the country would not fall to Hezbollah after four days of street battles which saw the Shia movement drive supporters of the government out of western Beirut.
In his first response to Hezbollah's de facto takeover of the west of the capital, Mr Siniora said his government would never declare war against the Shia group.In his first response to Hezbollah's de facto takeover of the west of the capital, Mr Siniora said his government would never declare war against the Shia group.
Also on Saturday, at least two people were killed after gunfire broke out during a funeral in a Sunni area of Beirut when unidentified gunmen targeted the funeral procession of a Sunni civilian killed during clashes on Friday.Also on Saturday, at least two people were killed after gunfire broke out during a funeral in a Sunni area of Beirut when unidentified gunmen targeted the funeral procession of a Sunni civilian killed during clashes on Friday.
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Rioting broke out on Saturday after gunmen targeted a funeralRioting broke out on Saturday after gunmen targeted a funeral
The spiral of unrest has sparked memories of Lebanon's bitter, 15-year civil war.The spiral of unrest has sparked memories of Lebanon's bitter, 15-year civil war.
Leaders of Lebanon's rival political factions were due to meet on Saturday and the Arab League will hold talks about the crisis on Sunday.Leaders of Lebanon's rival political factions were due to meet on Saturday and the Arab League will hold talks about the crisis on Sunday.
TV station closedTV station closed
Hezbollah militants had earlier withdrawn from the streets of Beirut having crushed resistance by Sunni gunmen loyal to Mr Siniora's government.Hezbollah militants had earlier withdrawn from the streets of Beirut having crushed resistance by Sunni gunmen loyal to Mr Siniora's government.
In the areas of Beirut worst affected by battles between Hezbollah and pro-government loyalists, barricades that had been set up were abandoned early on Saturday, said the BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut.In the areas of Beirut worst affected by battles between Hezbollah and pro-government loyalists, barricades that had been set up were abandoned early on Saturday, said the BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut.
But the TV station run by Sunni leader Saad Hariri is still off the air after gunmen forced its closure on Friday, he added.But the TV station run by Sunni leader Saad Hariri is still off the air after gunmen forced its closure on Friday, he added.
In northern Lebanon, at least 10 gunmen were killed when pro-government activists stormed the office of a Hezbollah-allied party in northern Lebanon, reports said.In northern Lebanon, at least 10 gunmen were killed when pro-government activists stormed the office of a Hezbollah-allied party in northern Lebanon, reports said.
Gunmen loyal to Mr Hariri set ablaze the office of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party in the village of Halba, after the gun battle.Gunmen loyal to Mr Hariri set ablaze the office of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party in the village of Halba, after the gun battle.
Lebanon was plunged into civil war from 1975-90, drawing in Syria and Israel, the two regional powers.Lebanon was plunged into civil war from 1975-90, drawing in Syria and Israel, the two regional powers.
The latest violence amounts to a humiliating blow to the government, which appears to have badly overplayed its hand in moving to close Hezbollah's telecoms network on Tuesday, our correspondent says.The latest violence amounts to a humiliating blow to the government, which appears to have badly overplayed its hand in moving to close Hezbollah's telecoms network on Tuesday, our correspondent says.