Lebanon prime minister derides Hezbollah

[Freddie Stubbs]

By SAM F. GHATTAS, Associated Press Writer
1 hour, 18 minutes ago

BEIRUT, Lebanon - Prime Minister Fuad Saniora denounced Hezbollah and its leader on Friday in an unusually personal attack, a day after the guerrilla group's chief renewed his pledge to bring down the U.S.-backed government.

The prime minister and Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah had traded barbs in the past, mostly through aides or supporters, but their recent remarks descended into direct attacks for the first time. The escalation of rhetoric marked a sharp turn in Lebanon's political crisis and further stoked the tensions between the two sides that threatens to tear the country apart.

"What we've seen yesterday was an unnecessary fit of anger and rudeness that we don't accept," Saniora told hundreds of supporters at his heavily fortified office complex where he has been holed up since the opposition launched street protests on Dec. 1 to bring down his government.

In a rousing speech delivered Thursday night on huge screens in central Beirut, Nasrallah accused Saniora of conniving with Israel during its monthlong war with Hezbollah last summer. He claimed Saniora ordered the Lebanese army to confiscate Hezbollah's supplies of weapons — his sharpest attack on the prime minister since the August cease-fire that ended the fighting.

more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061208/ap_on_re_mi_ea/lebanon

[still_one]

1. but, but, I thought Hezbollah was such a Democratic peace loving group

[MrPrax]

3. They Must be...

rather unusual for a 'terrorist' group to lead a non-violent immensely popular protest which includes not only Shia Lebanese, but significant support from all the other groups, including Maronite Christians who don't think much of this treasonous government.

But we'll leave it to the western press to try to spin away the obvious....the government has no support and it has NOTHING to do with Syria's meddling and everything to do with...a kiss.

[Zewe]

5. nothing unusual

Common in mid east to hug,like handshake in the west

[rinsd]

7. Yes how dare he disarm autonomous militias

:sarcasm:

[still_one]

9. There were not that many Christians at this rally

and if you believe that the Sunnis and Christians in the area aren't concerned about this, I have some swamp land to sell you in Arizonia

[MrPrax]

13. Did you miss this?

Hizbullah MP pays rare visit to Maronite patriarch

BKIRKI, Lebanon: Hizbullah MP Mohammad Raad said on Friday that the solution to the sit-in and demonstrations in central Beirut was a proposal that corresponds with the democratic system upon which Lebanon's political structure is based. Speaking after a rare meeting with Lebanon's influential Maronite patriarch, the head of the resistance group's bloc in Parliament said any solution "should be based on the principle of true partnership provided by the blocking minority, which each government normally includes."

The Council of Maronite Bishops, headed by Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir, issued a conciliatory statement Wednesday in which it provided a "declaration of principles" for the divided Lebanese groups to follow to end the political crisis.

Daily Star

I guess not everyone is required to view Hezbullah entirely within the context of Israel's security. Imagine the Patriarch supporting terrorism...tisk tisk tisk :eyes:

[The Stranger]

4. but, but, even the likes of them do not like having their nation invaded.

Go figure.

[still_one]

10. You must mean by Syria of course

[sugapablo]

2. You know, if the US was smart...

...It would publicly back Hezbollah, Hamas, etc.

Nothing does more harm to an Arab/Muslim organization than the backing and support of the US government. :)

[donkeyotay]

8. Ha, ha. this is so true. And why did George let Olmert bomb his project

in democracy. All that tourism waiting to buoy the economy... would have helped Sinora. So, why did George sit back and say bombs away? Really screwed his policy but good. There's lots of people saying now that democracy doesn't work. Sort of the same thing that happened to the Palestinians. One little electoral screw up and kaboom. I thought George believed in democracy. Why didn't he stand up for these?

[JCMach1]

11. His government was losing confidence before the war... it was more of the

same old corruption and BS.

This was the info I was getting in May from SUPPORTERS of the government.

[dkofos]

6. Saniora can say sianara in the next election!!

[brentspeak]

12. Why?