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Dubai: The Lebanese government raised the stakes in its struggle against the Hezbollah-led opposition on Tuesday, accusing the party of violating the country's sovereignty by operating its own communications network and installing "spy cameras" at Beirut airport.
The challenge to Hezbollah is likely to increase tensions in Lebanon amid fears of potential violence that could mar a general strike over price rises today. The strike, called by the main federation of unions, is supported by Hezbollah and other opposition groups.
Hezbollah has been leading a campaign against the government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora since November 2006. The standoff has left Lebanon without a president for five months.
Following a long Cabinet meeting that ended in the early hours yesterday, a statement by Siniora described Hezbollah's communications network as "an attack on the sovereignty of the state" and said the government would "prosecute anyone — individuals, groups and parties — involved in it."
Hezbollah said the communications network was part of its military and security apparatus and played a key role in its war with Israel in 2006. "The Cabinet ... and no one can stop us from defending ourselves and defending the country," Hezbollah's deputy leader Shaikh Naeem Qasem told the group's Al Manar television. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah "will hold a press conference" tomorrow to answer the government's charges, he said.
The Cabinet also removed the Shiite head of Beirut airport security in another challenge to Hezbollah, after it accused the group of installing cameras to monitor a runway at the airport. The Cabinet decided to remove Brigadier General Wafiq Shkeir from his post as airport security chief and described the cameras as "another violation of sovereignty."
Hezbollah said the cameras were used to monitor goods stored by its construction arm, Jihad Binaa.
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