Middle East News
US says Syria, Iran linked to Lebanon violence (2nd Roundup)
May 9, 2008, 21:37 GMT
Washington - The United States on Friday said groups tied to Syria and Iran were fuelling violent clashes in Lebanon, where the Shiite movement Hezbollah earlier took control of large parts of Beirut.
'Backed by Syria and Iran, Hezbollah and its allies are killing and injuring fellow citizens, undermining the legitimate authority of the Lebanese government and the institutions of the Lebanese state,' Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in a statement.
Fifteen people have been killed and more than 60 wounded in the third day of fighting between the opposition led by Hezbollah and followers of the majority.
The conflict intensified after Hezbollah leader chief Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah delivered a defiant speech on Thursday accusing the government of an act of war after it launched a probe into a private communications network run by Hezbollah.
State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Syria and Iran, who have been linked to Hezbollah in the past, have been tied to the current conflict.
'We are seeing now some evidence of those groups that are linked to Syria that are in Lebanon right now are taking a much more active role in fanning the flames of violence and those acts that are really destabilizing the political situation in Lebanon,' he told reporters.
Observers on the ground have seen evidence of groups linked to Syria inciting violence, McCormack said, but he did not provide further details about the evidence or which groups were involved.
'The United States is deeply concerned about the ongoing violence in Lebanon. We condemn the use of force by illegitimate armed groups and call upon all parties to respect the rule of law,' Rice said in a statement.
President George W Bush hopes to speak with Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora about the situation during a visit to the Egyptian city of Sharm el-Sheik to meet with regional leaders next week, while Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was to speak with the Lebanese government on Friday, said Gordon Johndroe, spokesman for the White House's National Security Council.
'We have confidence in the government of Lebanon. They have proven in recent years that they want to make Lebanon a safe and prosperous country. And the United States stands firmly with the Lebanese government and the people of Lebanon,' Johndroe said.
The escalation came amid high tension in Lebanon which has been rocked by the worst sectarian clashes since the end of the 1975-1990 civil war.
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Older Talkback
page: 1
So Iran doesn't support hizbullah?
Cab driver? Try harder zionist.
'Since they [the US and cancer cell] failed to accomplish their vicious ambitions during the 33-day war against the Lebanese nation, they have sought revenge by targeting the country's independence, sovereignty and national unity,'
'the united states of iran' this is just the starting point.
crpatel,columbus,ohio
Iranian,
Hezbollah invaded Sunni neighborhoods in Beirut and will probably move on to attack the Druze and the LF. Different viewpoints? This is exactly what it looks like. It is an attack by a terrorist group on a civilian population and an attempt (probably successful) at a coup-de-etat against the legitimate democratically elected government of a country.
They failed to get power by intimidating the majority through assassinations of opposition leaders and against the media. Now they are resorting to naked brute force to take over the country. The veneer of being a 'resistance movement' has been lifted and Hezbollah has been revealed for what it is: a proxy army financed, trained and armed by Syria and Iran, fighting for the interests of its sponsors and against the legitimate government of their country.
What happened to Nasrallah's red line of never using Hezbollah military force against other Lebanese?
'Cab driver? Try harder zionist.'
What else but a filthy, putrid, greasy, stench producing cab driver could you be? A suicide bomber?
'United states of Iran'? Well, its better than Lebanon being a servant of United States of American, helping US's capital Israel, continue its abhorrent behavior stealing land on a daily basis.
I'm for one, glad to see Iran show it can stand up to US doubly standards. I'm sick of my country, America being ruled by Israel. Sick of a near million death toll in Iraq since 2003. Does any of you even give a damn about the dead in Iraq? All we hear is of the 4000+ US soldier deaths who are illegally occupying a country in the first place, not much different than Israel's. If people don't do something soon, America will loose its global status very very soon. Then again, I'm starting to think, maybe thats a good thing.
15 people dead for overthrowing a small part of America's puppet goverments? I'll take that as a small victory.
Rajesh Patel, also Columbus, Ohio =)
What else is new - murderous Arabs on another killing streak. The US should eliminate Hezbollah for murdering 350 marines at their barracks.
O.K. people , Listen-Up . Don't you EVER run down Cab Drivers ! I don't care for iranians , I don't care for shitbolla , but I do know a Good Cab driver when I see one . How do I know ?Because I was one . One of the Best you've ever Seen !! When I spend money on something , I like to get what I pay for .When I had a passenger in my cab , I did the same courtousy for them . time after time ,they would say , hey Pal , can we get you back . Time after time , they would say , Hey Pal , you just did that trip 10 cents cheaper than anybody ever did . I gave the Best service I could . Safe , on the Money , and just make that Car DANCE on a busy Friday- nite. there was Always Southern Comfort Staste under the my seat . Never had a problem ! People could tell they were rideing with BEST . I'm not educated , but I'm FAR from Stupid !! I don't care whose behind the Wheel , but if they KNOW what they're doing , they are A Joy to behold . You just remember that , the next time you ride with a Master , you Son-Of-A-Bitch !
Anybody who dosen't back the American line is out of order, let's face it The USA is a spent force, events are passing they by and they don't like it. For all their millitary power they are loosing the battle of the moral ground because of their undoudted wanted slaughter that they cause around the world, they are an evil force that the world could well do without.
page: 1
IranianMay 9th, 2008 - 21:41:49
Deceptive techniques of distortion and manipulation continue to be used today to support the profit making warmongers. Thanks to the Internet and excellent alternative news websites like presstv.com, those who want to know can now find viable alternative viewpoints and explore the veracity of questionable news reports in the mainstream media.
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