RIGHT NOW...Fighting in BEIRUT
UPDATE 4 19:53 GMT - Accourding to Al-Manar TV, belonging to Hezbullah (the opposition), the opposition and Hezbullah has REJECTED Saad Al-Hariri's 4 plan proposal. This rejection is a setp back for a near solution to this crisis.
Casualties are reported of five dead and twelve injured in todays fighting.
-----------
UPDATE 3 17:44 GMT – As tension is mounting high in Beirut, Future Party Leader, Saad Al-Hariri, loyalist leader, made a moderate political speech addressing the situation. In his speech addressed to Hezbollah Leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, said that Beirut is under siege, and you (Mr. Hassan) should end this siege. He also proposed a 4 point solution to the crisis; <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
1-Let the army to handle the government “misunderstood” degrees about the telecommunications (the latest crises between the government and Hezbollah). 2- Immediately remove all military activities and withdraw militants from the streets, opening all roads and opening the international airport. 3- Immediately appoint (the agreed upon) General Sulaiman as president of Lebanon. 4- Open dialog between the opposition and loyalists, under the umbrella of the appointed president. Mr. Al-Hariri said that Israel is currently happy to see Beirut under siege.
Cairo will ask a meeting of Arab foreign ministers to discuss the current situation in Lebanon.
Meanwhile, most major airlines have cancelled their scheduled air travel to Beirut. Iraqi airline, Kuwait Airways, Jordanian Air, Emerates and Gulf airs all cancelled their flights.
In Ferdan area, there is heavy gun fires and rockets going on between supporters of Future Party and Amal Party. Some reports state that armed persons are being seen in Al-Hamra street.
Heavy fighting, using machine guns and RPG rockets is being heard in Ras Al-Nabea area.
-------
UPDATE 2 16:25 GMT - Gun fires is still being heard in several areas of Beirut though less than before. As for casualties, one person from the opposition, a civilian is reported killed. One shop is on fire, but due to the snipers, they cannot extinguish it yet. Fighting is reported in Ain Teana area.
On the political front, the Gulf Cooperating Council issued a statement asking all Lebanese parties to restrain and use wisdom to solve the problem.
-------
UPDATE 15:20 GMT – Heavy fighting using RPG rockets and machine guns, is happening right now at the area of Beshara AL-Khory. Reporters are unable to go there.
UPDATE 13:20 GMT – Heavy fighting using RPG rockets and machine guns, is happening right now at the area of Beshara AL-Khory. Reporters are unable to go there
Gilgit, Northern Areas, Pakistan
UPDATE 13:20 GMT – Heavy fighting using RPG rockets and machine guns, is happening right now at the area of Beshara AL-Khory. Reporters are unable to go there.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"Lebanese soldiers stand by burning tires during a protest in Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, May 7, 2008. Hezbollah-led opposition protesters blocked streets in central Beirut and on the road to the international airport Wednesday to enforce an anti-government labor strike that has turned into a showdown between the militant group and Western-backed Prime Minister Fuad Saniora. (AP) |