Hezbollah's refusal to re-open the road to Beirut International Airport, effectively imprisoning arriving passengers, is an all time low for the militia once respected for battling Israel.
Among the besieged in the airport: Lebanon's widely treasured legend, Fairuz.
Official sources confirm that Lebanese icon Fairuz and her cast and crew are stuck in the Beirut airport. "All of Lebanon is under siege with Fairuz and her colleagues at the Beirut International Airport, just as Israel besieged the city of Beirut," the sources said.
Hezbollah's closure of the airport has triggered obvious similarities to the forced closure inflicted by Israel during the 2006 war on Lebanon.
Lebanon's Prime Minister Fouad Siniora contacted allies in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Nations and the Arab League to inform them of the grave situation in Beirut and request their aid in protecting the Lebanese government and people, who are "besieged by armed groups that overthrow all international resolutions and the Arab initiative.".
Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abou Al-Gheit said he was disturbed by and concerned over the events in Lebanon on Wednesday. "In light of the sensitive situation and political crisis afflicting the country, confrontations and clashes in the streets of Lebanon may push the country toward risks with uncalculated consequences," he added.
Negotiating with Bullets
Rumors have emerged that Hezbollah has delivered an ultimatum to the Lebanese government, to overturn recent decisions involving the militia.
"We have received information that tens of armed men arrived in little trucks accompanied by motorbikes to the sit-in outside the Grand Serail,"
"Voice of Lebanon radio said Hizbullah members were dressed up in police uniforms and penetrating districts of Beirut controlled by their rivals of the Mustaqbal movement."
"[Hezbollah] said it would give the government 48 hours to revoke the recent cabinet decisions, or else the street violence would escalate further."
The Lebanese government responded to rumors by saying it would not back away from its decisions under any pressure or terrorization.
The source, who requested anonymity, said the government was studying all viable options to avoid escalated confrontations, but said it would not tolerate operations that targeted civil peace and security.
The government would not enter negotiations in a "political bazaar" under street pressure, the source added.
Hezbollah Denies any Wrongdoing
The Samir Geagea lead Lebanese Forces party issued a statement calling Wednesday, May 7 "another black day added to the March 8 opposition calendar, a date which undermines the foundations of the Lebanese state and civil peace in preparation for the return of Syrian occupation forces to Lebanon."
"May 7, 2008, will be another day the Lebanese remember with acute pain, when journalists were subjected to beatings and threats, public and private property were assaulted and roads were cut off," including the road leading to Lebanon's international airport, the statement added.
Hezbollah's mouthpiece, the Al Manar television station, reported Nabih Berri's political party laying the blame for today's chaos on the government, and they reserved the right to blame the government for any "unforeseen" future events.
Opposition MP Abbas Hashem said Black Wednesday had nothing to do with the political differences between the two sides, but then continued to demand the resignation of the government.
"What happened today is a spontaneous protest started by citizens. Politics and politicians have nothing to do with it, and the solution is for the Siniora government to place its resignation in the hands of the Lebanese people to save what can be saved," said Hashem.
Tags: Al Manar, Fouad Siniora, Hezbollah, source: Now Lebanon, source: Ya Libnan
