Lebanese army takes back Beirut

The Lebanese army is set to take control of Beirut after negotiating a compromise with Hezbollah.

The Islamist faction took over much of the capital after the US-backed government tried to dismantle its private telecommunications network and sack the head of security at Beirut airport, who is a Hezbollah ally.

The anti-Israeli guerrilla group, which is backed by Syria and Iran, said the government's actions amounted to a declaration of war.

Ensuing clashes between the Shia group and pro-government militia claimed the lives of at least 27 people and left 75 wounded in the worst fighting since the 1975-90 civil war.

Prime Minister Fouad Siniora said he was putting the two issues into the hands of the Lebanese army on Saturday.

And the military immediately announced it would overturn the government's decisions, keeping the airport security chief in his post and handling Hezbollah's communications network in a way "that would not harm public interest and the security of the resistance".

Hezbollah and its allies will now end all armed presence in Beirut and leave the city in the hands of the army, an opposition statement said.

Mr Siniora claimed Beirut had been "besieged" and "occupied" by "putschists", adding: "We can no longer accept Hezbollah's situation and that of its weapons as it is.

"Hezbollah must realise that force of arms will not scare us or make us retreat."

The United States, which considers Hezbollah a terrorist group, a threat to Israel, and a pawn of Iran, said it was considering taking measures against "those responsible for the violence".

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