Sunni/Shiite Violence Flairs
A general strike, orchestrated by Hezbollah and supported by Syria and Iraq, has flared into violence. The intent of the strike was to topple the pro-Western government of Sinoria in favor of a Hezbollah led government. Opposing the Shiite Hezbollah forces is the Sunni Future party, which is headed by Saad Hariri, the leader of the parliamentary majority and son of Rafik Hariri, the former prime minister many Lebanese believe was murdered on Syria’s orders. Hundreds of followers of each party clashed, separated by Government troops.
Empowered by Israel's failure to deal Hezbollah a fatal blow, a failure which has caused the former head of Israel's IDF to step down, Hezbollah has emerged as the dominant political force in Lebanon. They are flexing their muscles.