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Lebanon army 'ready to use force' | Lebanon army 'ready to use force' |
(about 4 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. |
The latest violence has left more than 60 people dead. | |
Saudi Arabia has criticised Iran for supporting what it called a coup by Hezbollah. It said it would affect its relations with Arab countries. | |
There is now a strong Lebanese 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 recent 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. | |
A military statement 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." | |
'Hezbollah coup' | |
Saudi Arabia, a strong supporter of the Lebanese government, has called for all Middle Eastern states to respect the independence of Lebanon. | |
class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7392013.stm">High stakes in Lebanon crisis | |
"For Iran to back the coup that happened in Lebanon will have an impact on its relations with all Arab countries," the Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal warned on Tuesday. | |
In Tehran, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad denied his country was meddling in Lebanon. | |
"Iran is the only country not interfering," he told a news conference. | |
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 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. | 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. | It is generally agreed that its commander, General Michel Suleiman, should be the next president. |
Political deadlock | 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. | 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. | |
Lebanon was plunged into civil war from 1975-90, drawing in Syria and Israel. 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. | An Arab League delegation trying to mediate an end to the fighting is expected to arrive in Lebanon on Wednesday. |
President Bush on his Middle East solution | |
The US President George W Bush has also said he will discuss developments when he visits the region this week - visiting Saudi Arabia and Egypt. | |
In an interview with the BBC he said he had offered to help strengthen Lebanon's army so it can disarm Hezbollah. | |
The US is also sending its guided missile destroyer the USS Cole back into the Eastern Mediterranean. | 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. | 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. | 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. |