The comments were among Mr. Nasrallah's strongest since the beginning of Lebanon's months-long political crisis and may signal a new level of confrontation between Hezbollah and its supporters and democratically elected government of prime Minister Fouad Siniora. Tensions have escalated in recent days, and clashes and gunfire continued on the streets of Beirut on Thursday as Hezbollah tried to take advantage of a general strike called by the pro-Syrian labor union.

On Tuesday, the government said that it would send troops to shut down a telephone network operated by Hezbollah in south Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut.

"This decision was a declaration of war and the start of war on the resistance and its weapons," Nasrallah said, speaking via satellite at a news conference convened by Hezbollah in the southern suburbs of Beirut.

"Our response to this decision is that whoever declares or starts a war, be it a brother or a father, then it is our right to defend ourselves and our existence," he said.

However, Nasrallah left open the door for some negotiations by saying that it would stop the strike if the government's forces left the streets of Beirut and the government reversed its decision on the telephone network.

The government has said it would prosecute those responsible for operating the network, which was used for communication between Hezbollah members during the war with Israel in 2006 and is reportedly being used by the Middle east militia , Iranian and Syrian intelligence . The government also accused the militant group of placing several spy cameras on a road outside the Beirut airport to monitor pro-government officials. The cabinet dismissed the airport's director of security, a figure very close to Hezbollah.

As the country remained mired in its worst political crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war, tension has worsened in recent days.

On Thursday, parts of the city were still shut down, and roads were still blocked by burning tires and garbage cans set on fire by Hezbollah supporters and other opponents of the government.

Roads to the airport were still closed, and only one plane managed to leave Beirut on Thursday to London.

For 17 months, Lebanon has struggled through a political standoff between the Hezbollah-led opposition which is supported by Iran and Syria and the government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, who is backed by the world community. The impasse has left the country without a president since November.

Many of the clashes in recent days have been in mixed Sunni-Shiite neighborhoods. Armed civilians were visible on some streets.

"God is with the Sunnis," shouted government supporters. "The Shiite blood is boiling," responded Hezbollah followers from across the street. Lebanese army troops in riot gear stood between them.

In other parts of the city, Lebanese troops in armored personnel carriers raced among neighborhoods trying to contain the fighting and shooting in the air to disperse crowds.

"This is the first day of the civil war," said a government supporter who gave his name as Omar, in a Sunni neighborhood. "They are the aggressors, and they will be buried here."

A few miles away, supporters of Hezbollah vowed to continue the protest until Siniora's government fell.

"We are staying here," said a protester who gave his name as Abu Rish. "We have money and support from Iran and Syria and we can go on like this for another 50 years."

Hezbollah rejects Hariri's call for ending violence

Parliament majority leader MP Saad Hariri called on Hezbollah-led opposition to end the street violence and to elect a president immediately and to return to the negotiating table As soon as the president is elected.

During an interview with LBC TV Lebanon's MP Walid Jumblatt said that he called Speaker Nabih Berri for his response after Saad Hariri's suggestions. But in any case , Jumblat added " it is not in anybody's interest if Hezbollah rejects the Hariri initiative. I know what is the cost of violence, that is why I support a settlement. The state is more important than my ( PSP) party or Hezbollah "

Minutes after Jumblatt spoke Amal and Hezbollah responded by saying they rejected Hariri's suggestions and plan to expand their control over the streets until the government backs down and rescinds its decisions

Picture: Hezbollah supporter burning tires to protest against the government

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