There are fears in Lebanon this evening that Hezbollah has launched a takeover of the country, under the subterfuge of a general strike. Beirut was brought to a standstill with gunfire echoing through the streets. The Western-leaning government says the pro-Syrian, Iranian-backed Hezbollah is setting up its own state-within-a-state.
Union leader Ghassan Ghosen said the opposition would not be stopped: "You can see the complete absence of government forces on the streets; we are in control."
But Communications' Minister Marwan Hamadeh said the strike call had been a cover for a Hezbollah takeover: "The strike has, in my opinion, totally failed, because what we are seeing is a Hezbollah demonstration of power."
The crisis erupted over revelations that Hezbollah had installed its own spy cameras at the airport, something the government said was tantamount to breaching Lebanon's sovereignty. But many fear a new civil war is looming in a country long wracked by factional tension.
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