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Violence Paralyzes Beirut for Second Day
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U.S. officials said several major and regional powers, including Syrian allies, are alarmed about the sudden explosion of violence. A senior U.S. official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the behind-the-scenes diplomacy, said Russian, Turkish and key Arab leaders had told the Syrian government that it would be held responsible for Hezbollah's actions.
White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said Hezbollah "needs to make a choice: Be a terrorist organization or be a political party, but quit trying to be both. They need to start playing a constructive role and stop their disruptive activities."
Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said that Hezbollah had "made progress in establishing a state within a state. They have not implemented agreements and resolutions with regard to disarming their militia. That in turn is encouraging other groups to rearm as well. There is a lack of progress because of their opposition in terms of the election of a president, although everyone has agreed on Mr. Suleiman."
Khalilzad said the Security Council should consider "additional steps" that could include sanctions if the crisis is not resolved quickly. He also said Syria shared some of the blame for recent events.
"It is outrageous that Syria claims Lebanon is a hostile neighbor when it is Damascus that continues to send weapons into Lebanon and is working to undermine the legitimate Lebanese government," he said.
The worst violence took place in the mixed neighborhoods of Mazraa and Ras al-Nabaa, where armed supporters of both parties fought for control. Men carried machine guns, and the sound of rocket-propelled grenade launchers could be heard as smoke filled the air. Some civilians fled the areas, while others sought safety in buildings.
Sunni supporters of Hariri's Future Movement, allied with the government, closed roads leading to the south and to the Bekaa Valley in the east in retaliation for Hezbollah's closure of the airport road.
A source close to the movement said that if a balance were created on the ground, it could encourage the army to take action and open all roads closed by both sides. So far, the army has not intervened except to attempt to negotiate settlements between fighting groups across Beirut.
Government officials said they were considering declaring a state of emergency, and opposition figures said civil disobedience could continue.
Many Lebanese voiced resignation.
"What's there to tell? We've lived a war; we know what it looks like; we haven't forgotten," said Youssef, a man in his 40s who declined to give his full name.
Wright reported from Washington.
