Region | Lebanon

Lebanese army starts drive to end armed presence

Authorised troops have been told to use force if necessary, the army command said in a statement. Gunmen remained in the streets and clashes have been widely reported.

  • Agencies
  • Published: 09:18 May 13, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Authorised troops have been told to use force to drive out illegal gunmen.
  • Image Credit: Gulf News archive

Beirut: The Lebanese army began a drive on Tuesday to end illegal armed presence in cities and villages in the country.

Authorised troops have been told to use force if necessary, the army command said in a statement. Gunmen remained in the streets and clashes have been widely reported.

A security source said the measure included the arrest of any gunmen, the taking over of armed positions and the storming of suspected arms depots.

Hezbollah fighters and pro-government gunmen have engaged in weeklong deadly clashes that left at least 81 people dead.

Fighting erupted on May 7 after Prime Minister Fouad Siniora's government outlawed Hezbollah's communications network and sacked the Beirut airport security chief.

Much of Beirut remains paralysed by street barricades erected by Hezbollah and its allies. The capital's air and sea ports remain closed.

The violence in Lebanon has sparked worldwide concern, with US President George W. Bush saying on Monday he would consult regional allies during his visit to the region.

"It is critical that the international community come together to assist the Lebanese people in their hour of need," said Bush, who is travelling to Israel, Saudi Arabia and Egypt starting on Wednesday.







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