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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Lebanon army 'ready to use force' | Lebanon army 'ready to use force' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The Lebanese army has said it is prepared to use force to disarm gunmen and restore order across the country. | The Lebanese army has said it is prepared to use force to disarm gunmen and restore order across the country. |
| It follows a week of clashes between supporters of the Western-backed government and the Hezbollah-led opposition. | It follows a week of clashes between supporters of the Western-backed government and the Hezbollah-led opposition. |
| At least 60 people are believed to have died in the violence. | At least 60 people are believed to have died in the violence. |
| There is a strong army presence in Beirut, the northern city of Tripoli and in the Chouf mountains south-east of the capital. | There is a strong army presence in Beirut, the northern city of Tripoli and in the Chouf mountains south-east of the capital. |
| But correspondents say much of Beirut remains paralysed by street barricades, and the international airport is still closed. | But correspondents say much of Beirut remains paralysed by street barricades, and the international airport is still closed. |
| The sectarian violence is the worst since the end of the 15-year civil war in 1990 and has led to fears of another all-out conflict. | The sectarian violence is the worst since the end of the 15-year civil war in 1990 and has led to fears of another all-out conflict. |
| An army statement issued late on Monday said: "Army units will prevent any violations, whether by individuals or groups, in accordance with the law even if this is going to lead to the use of force." | |
| US offer of help | US offer of help |
| On Monday, US President George W Bush offered to help strengthen Lebanon's army so it can disarm Hezbollah. | On Monday, US President George W Bush offered to help strengthen Lebanon's army so it can disarm Hezbollah. |
| In an interview with the BBC, he said the Shia Muslim Hezbollah movement had acted against its own people and was destabilising the country. | In an interview with the BBC, he said the Shia Muslim Hezbollah movement had acted against its own people and was destabilising the country. |
| President Bush on his Middle East solution | |
| He made the remarks ahead of a trip to the Middle East this week. | He made the remarks ahead of a trip to the Middle East this week. |
| Overnight there were renewed clashes in the northern city of Tripoli but by early on Tuesday troops were reinforcing their presence on the streets. | Overnight there were renewed clashes in the northern city of Tripoli but by early on Tuesday troops were reinforcing their presence on the streets. |
| There was similar violence in Tripoli on Monday but no fighting was reported in other areas. In the capital, Beirut, the situation remained calm. | There was similar violence in Tripoli on Monday but no fighting was reported in other areas. In the capital, Beirut, the situation remained calm. |
| The recent unrest began after the government moved to shut down Hezbollah's telecoms network and remove the chief of security at Beirut's airport for allegedly sympathising with Hezbollah. | |
| The army has stayed neutral in the conflict emerging as the only factor preventing a complete collapse in Lebanon. | |
| It is generally agreed that its commander, General Michel Suleiman, should be the next president. | |
| Political deadlock | |
| For the past 16 months, Lebanon has been locked in political stalemate between the ruling coalition and Hezbollah-led opposition over the make-up of the government. | |
| Lebanon has not had a president since November, when Emile Lahoud stepped down despite parliament failing to agree on his successor. High stakes in Lebanon crisis | |
| Lebanon was plunged into civil war from 1975-90, drawing in Syria and Israel, the two regional powers. Many Lebanese are now wondering where the latest crisis will go from here. | |
| An Arab League delegation trying to mediate an end to the fighting is expected to arrive in Lebanon on Wednesday. | |
| Speaking to the BBC's Arabic television channel, President Bush said the US would ensure the Lebanese military had "the practical equipment" it needed to act against Hezbollah's armed wing. | |
| "They're moving against the Lebanese people and it should send a signal to everybody that they're a destabilising force," he said. | |
| Hezbollah would be nothing without Iranian backing, he added, commenting that Iran was the source of much instability in the Middle East. | |
| Mr Bush said he will focus on Lebanon when he visits the region - meeting Arab leaders in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. | |
| The US is also sending its guided missile destroyer the USS Cole back into the Eastern Mediterranean. | |
| Its action has angered Lebanon's Hezbollah-led opposition. | |
| Sources have warned that any hint of American intervention would lead it to abandon the few red lines it has observed in its campaign to undermine the government. |