Region | Lebanon

Hezbollah seizes large parts of Beirut

Emergency Arab meeting called as fighting between Hezbollah and pro-government gunmen continue.

  • Agencies
  • Published: 10:15 May 9, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Fighting between Hezbollah fighters and pro-government gunmen continued for a third day on Friday.
  • Image Credit: AP
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Beirut: Hezbollah tightened its grip on Beirut on Friday, seizing most of the capital and forcing a pro-government TV station off air.

Security sources said at least 10 people had been killed and 20 wounded in three days of battles between pro-government gunmen and fighters loyal to Hezbollah.

Young men armed with assault rifles roamed the streets amid smashed cars and smoldering buildings. The sound of sporadic gun battles was still heard in the city.

Saudi Arabia called for an emergency meeting of Arab foreign ministers over the crisis, Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television reported.

Hezbollah gunmen also took control of media outlets owned by governing coalition leader Saad Al Hariri and forced Hariri's television and radio stations off the air.

Hezbollah has been steadily seizing offices of pro-government factions in the western half of the city and handing control of the officies to the army.

Hezbollah also took control of roads leading to Beirut's international airport. National carrier Middle East Airlines said all of its flights would be postponed until Saturday.

The violence was triggered when the government declared Hezbollah's military communications network illegal.

Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said on Thursday the government decision was a declaration of war.

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