Clashes in Beirut -- updates

Clashes have erupted in several neighborhoods in Beirut between supporters of the Future movement and Amal/Hizbullah supporters. The clashes started on the Beirut Arab University campus and spread to the adjacent areas. Amal and Hizbullah supporters are descending on the Sports City area to "save" their colleagues, armed with sticks and rocks. LBC is airing images of them destroying parked cars in the area, and exchanging rocks with Future supporters.

The clashes have spread to the airport road-- now closed in one direction-- and to the tunnel leading to downtown Beirut. Several cars have been set on fire.  Black smoke is rising from the cola/sports city area.  The Lebanese army and ISF have intervened.

LBC is reporting 25 wounded so far. More soon.

Update. Here's a video of the clashes near the sports city. The Amal/Hizbullah supporters on the right, seen destroying rocks and hurling rocks.

Update 2. One person was killed so far and 30 injured, according to Naharnet. Gunshots are heard in the city, and several Lebanese army soldiers were shot, according to Aljazeera.

Update 3. Hizbullah, Amal and Future are calling on people to withdraw from the streets.

Update 4. The Lebanese army declared a curfew starting 8:30 pm and until 6am Friday. Hizbullah thugs are reportedly attacking buildings in the banking district in downtown Beirut.

Eyewitnesses told me that shortly after the clashes began at the Beirut Arab University, trucks arrived at the scene and unloaded young men armed with sticks and rocks.

The Lebanese army has been trying to escort citizens back to their homes but is being attacked by thugs coming from the southern suburb of Beirut. In one instance, an eyewitness said, a convoy of cars protected by Lebanese army vehicles was attacked near the airport tunnel by rocks and gunfire.

From Naharnet:   

    Security sources said the casualties included 17 wounded soldiers, four of whom are officers. They said at least 200 cars were smashed in the clashes pitting supporters of the Moustaqbal movement, headed by parliamentary majority leader Saad Hariri, against an alliance grouping Hizbullah and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri's Amal movement...

    Police sappers also defused a rocket that was directed at the Moustaqbal newspaper in Beirut, shortly before it was set to launch. "Luckily they discovered it. It would have resulted in a massacre. The newspaper is packed by journalists at this time of the evening," Editor Nassir al-Assad told Naharnet by telephone.

Nasrallah has apparently issued a fatwa  "instructing his followers to cooperate with the army and withdraw from the streets". He said he had information of snipers shooting at people from the rooftops of buildings.

Update 5. The Lebanese army has detained two snipers who were caught red handed. One is Syrian, and the other Palestinian.

Comments

[Jeha]

Allah y3in,

That is what I am afraid of; blood calls for more blood. I fear more escalation as Paris III concludes.

[Charlie]

What a shame, turning an educational institution into a battle field...May God enlighten this ignorant bunch!!

[Jeha]

God will enlighten them; it looks like they're heading his way.

After the Lebanese University, the Arab University. Next what, AUB?

[Roman Kalik]

:-( I don't think it's going to stop now, too much momentum, too much pent-up hate, too short memories...

Be safe, folks.

[Jeha]

Abu Kais,
People just back from the airport talked about "black" checkpoints, and snipers along some roads.

[Rami]

I really looking forward to hearing more of the empty, tasteless, and hypocritic statements from our endearing Lebanese leadership. I want hear them tell "their people" to get off the streets, meanwhile launching virulent campaigns against each other. I am exasperated beyinf belief and how the leaders of this theatrical production, try to contain the violent drama, as they douse it with fuel and fire sparks. How can the Parliament leader call for calm, when the one thing we need is for Parliament to convene? When there is no law, no order, no leadership, no enforcment, who is contain rightfully angry, desperate, fed-up citzens?

[burger]

It's refreshing to see our young and "educated" Lebanese being so civilized and enlightened. You know, when I see these images, it extinguishes any hope I have for Lebanons future. These people are the future of Lebanon, our next generation. Brainless lunatics with big sticks smashing any car they see like some sort of cave dwelling mammals.

Get used to it.

[ghassan karam]

I am not as pessimistic as some readers seem to be. Of course if events get out of control then the pessimists will be proven right but if calmer minds prevail then the escalation of the past few weeks has defined clearly that there is not much , if anything, in common between the two major political groupings. One is intent on establishing a sovereign, democratic and prosperous state based on free enterprise while the other seeks an old fashioned government run economy devoid of creativity entrepreneurship and totally subservient to the diktats of the Boy King and the Iranian mullahs. A basic fault cannot be resolved by papering the cracks on the service. Maybe after all of this, the March 14 will come to their senses and stop placating HA whose rightful place as a political body is the opposition and whose military wing must be declared openly illegal. Any other solution will be tantamount to applying band aids to stop a deep hemorrhage.

[burger]

Ghassan,
Never though of it this way. Maybe a deal that goes like this :

Give us your weapons and we give you veto.

Sounds realistic? Or am I being naive?

[Jay]

Burger, the reason why they want the veto is to keep their weapons.

[Charlie]

Burger,

More along the lines: give up your weapons and militia or we all going to have our own weapons and militias. Jumblatt has said it several times in the past. Anyone who is familiar with Lebanese sentiments on the street knew as long as Fatty Nas is holding on to his toys sooner or later it is going to come to this. Nas and his bosses, Bashar and Ahmadi-midget, know that as well and using this card to blackmail the rest of the world..

[R]

Army declares curfew starting at 20:30...

[burger]

Charlie,

Aah so the only solution in your opinion is war? I think it's obvious they ain't gonna give up da weapons for free...

[another_someone]

What is the legal/constitutional process of replacing the Army commander in Lebanon?

[R]

I am watching Al-mustaqbal supporters throwing flaming objects possibly molotov cocktails at the SSNP center close to tareek al jdeedi, on Alarabiya tv

[Charlie]

Burger,
Pretty much, Nas and weapons can’t coexist within a state governed by democratic institutions. For one to exist the other has to cease to exist. The unfortunate reality of Lebanon today

[Jeha]

R,

Indeed, there the SSNP HQ is gone. Also, the Army declared curfew...

[Charlie]

Yup the SSNP flag was taken down and a Lebanese Flag was being waved for a while and now their metal sign that has their logo has been removed as well..

[Guess Who ?]

Jum is still asking the Syrians to get out, this man lives in the past same as his supporters. The reality on the ground is different, since 1984 when Hizbullah was formed, then his successes in ousting the occupying power in 2000.

There is a new entity that is awaiting recognition, that is the bottom line.

Seems Mr. Karam and I are halfway enligned with our views ?

As long as you see the "other " recognise his differences, the following steps will follow suit.

CNN is very interested in covering the events. The coverage is more extensive now, than during the destruction of Lebanon by the American's proxies, the zionists

[Arab Patriot]

Many are betting on what they always saw will becoming Lebanon, once the Syrian leaves, a return to civil war.

Hope we will prove them wrong!!!

[Abu Kais]

"Guess Who"-- what makes you such an expert on Lebanese affairs anyway? Is there no limit to the rubbish you post here?

[Michael]

Guess Who,

the Lebanese -- and most of all, of course, the fat sayyid and his cohorts -- are admirable people of unparallleed assiduousness. Just a few months after "the destruction of Lebanon" by "the Zionists", the country is reconstructed enough to begin smashing it down from the inside.

It's a sure indicator of eventual defeat when you start believing your own lies.

[Amir in Tel Aviv]

Keep the army out of it.!!!
Don't make a mistake, Israeli style.
The army has no answers to the situation coz it is probably as divided as the Lebanese society is.
As long as you keep the army away, the "threat" of army-involvement hovers ; better not to test this "involvement".
Siniora's government has what to lose when the army gets "involved", and revealed powerless.
So be smart.! Keep the army in the barracks.
.

[Jeha]

Nasrallah's comments about "snipers shooting at people from the rooftops of buildings" are correct. Some are his, but most belong to "others" since his men occupy the street en masse; just like street warfare, where a single, well hidden coward can stop an entire army.

From people who came back from the airport, his "core" men appear disciplened and direct people away from the snipers. But I think that the "real" truth is that he cannot control all his "supporters" anymore... With the Palestinian factions on board, it is very plausible that most of the fighting from his side is being dished out by those "uncontrolled elements" of old; the clans, the syrians, and the Palestinians that Hezb bused to Beirut are not as beholden to Nasrallah as his main troops.

That guy takes himself too serioiusly, and overestimates his powers; he has no clue his "revolution" is escaping his own control and that of his masters. Otherwise, why the need for a "fatwa" when a simple order woudl suffice?

[BadVilbel]

Quite the contrary, Amir. Now, more than ever, the state needs to assert its authority via the Army and security forces. If they cannot restore calm and assert the state's authority, there's really no state left (and there was barely one to start with).
Someone has to break the backs of these thugs and make it clear, once and for all, that only ONE authority is recognized in Lebanon, that of the state.
Not doing that today gives a green light to the violence to continue and escalate, and even worse, sends the message that the state is weak and that people are better off with their militias protecting their respective interests.

[BadVilbel]

Also....Did I say "Martial law" yet today???

[Homo Libanus]

Alas, we are well into a civil war for which there is only one possible solution: a Seniora resignation if Hizballah gives up it arms, and there is an agreement to keep Aoun out of the Presidency (this last condition is less important because the current parliament will have to vote for the next government). But I can't see this happening either. So, we are going to hell...

[Roman Kalik]

I second BadVilbel. Without order and the support of law and state, individual people take matters into their own hands, and the anarchic void is soon filled by the quasi-security of the militias.
Furthermore, the army is probably the most unified group of people in Lebanon. Granted, that does not say much as Lebanese unity is a fragile think, but in a way the army is the last hope.
And even if they just end up being a quick arms stockpile for the militias, it will be too late anyway.

[ghassan karam]

Bad, Amir,
I think that I understand and sympathize with Bads' position but I am afraid that I find myself agreeing with Amir on this one. There is no doubt that law and order are paramount and must be upheld. I am not sure that one needs an army to control rioters. An army is not trained to handle crowds andis more likely to misapply power as to aggravate a situation than the ISF. I am sure that someone will remind me that the ISF is not that much better trained and my response would be that they ought to be and even if they are not much better trained they are the ones whose presense under such circumstances would be less intimidating and thus more likely to succsseed. I have often argued that Lebanon does not need an army anyway. The only function of the Lebanese army is to create jobs by being the employer of last resort and to help increase the level of government expenditure. Restore law and order but not through an ill equipped, badly trained army that is likely to do a bad job anyway.

[Amir in Tel Aviv]

Roman Kalik,

"...but in a way the army is the last hope".
We didn't yet lose hope, did we?

They have to dress the soldiers in police uniforms, and arm them with 'police hats', shields and helmets. NO RIFLES. NO ARMORED VEHICLES. Just clubs and cudgels.
Like IDF performed during the disengagement from Gaza.
No martial law, BadVilbel.
.

[Amir in Tel Aviv]

Watch S. Korean TV news (Yes, no mistake, Korean from South Korea)
and see that mass demonstrations there look much worse than the Lebanese. They torch, they break, they look like uncaged animals.
Yet the security forces stick to shields and helmets.
.

[Amir in Tel Aviv]

Siniora's 'Jellyfish Tears' strategy is the right strategy.
He exploits his 'weak' image skilfully. 7.6BL in one sunny Parisian day...not bad.!
We have to show the world who's the aggressor here, and you can't do that, and in the same time unleash the army.

In any case, the basic rules will be decided in Riad, Tehran, Washington, Paris, Moscow and London.
So demonstrate your strengths, and hide your weaknesses in Beirut.
.

[BadVilbel]

Ghassan,

Frankly you're nitpicking. I said "army or security forces (i.e. the ISF)".

I don't care who does it, my point is the state's authority needs to be imposed on these thugs, by force, if need be. It's that simple.
As long as you're sending the message that violence is tolerated, you're never gonna come out of this mess.

[Charlie]

BV and Ghassan,

As we have seen from yesterday's events neither the ISF nor the Army are fully loyal to the state, which brings us to the point of what is the use of a martial law when there is no one to enforce it? The security institutions are rotten, corrupt and full of HA, Aoun and Lahoud cronies. In essence Syria has more influence over this army than the PM of the country. In the absence of state security the citizens are going to pick up arms and protect themselves, it is the very same thing Jumblatt has been warning Nas about. Today what we saw in Tariq el-Jeddidah is a glimpse of that. To me this is 1975 all over again.

Please people don’t expect a child to do a man’s work and Lebanon is nothing but a child that refuses to grow up, the solution for this is going to have to come from outside…again!!! sounds familiar??

[ghassan karam]

Bad,
We have often, maybe always, been in agreement and I trust that we still are regarding the goal, in this case the restoration of law and order ( as if they have ever existed:-)) but I am serious when I say that the method is as important as the goal. I do not think that the army has any function to play in domestic disturbances and that we have to keep them out of such circumstances that they are not trained to handle anyway. Even a declaration of curfew or other emergency policies should not involve the army. It is much easier to escalate a confrontation when sophisticated weapons are involved and in particular whenever they are placed in situations that the weapons handlers are not comfortable with. I do not want ar army officer issuing an order to say use a heavy weapon when a strategic maneuvre would have been sufficient. Keep the Hama Rules to the Syrians.

[fubar]

Tehran, 25 Jan. (AKI) - One of Iran's top nuclear scientists, Ardeshir Hassanpour, a professor at the university of Shiraz, has died under mysterious circumstances. Hassanpour's death was announced by Iranian state television, a week late, on Thursday. No reason was given for his death. The scientist was proclaimed the best scientist in the military field in the Islamic Republic in 2003. Hassanpour directed the centre for nuclear electromagnetic studies he had founded in 2005.

He had also co-founded the center for atomic research in Isfahan, the most important in the country, Iranian state television reported.

Last year, Ardeshir Hassanpour was awarded Iran's most prestigious scientific award, the Kharazmi prize.

*******

Wow. Talk about Persian bad luck. But not to worry, there is some good news too, the big guy is still around...

TEHRAN, 25 Jan. (Fars News Agency)- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei is suffering from a severe bout of flu and that's all.

******

Just so we are all clear here, “flu” is the Persian equivalent of the old Russian “cold”. ;-)

And finally, what to think about Lebanon today...

With a fine wine, once you open the bottle, you have to drink it. Say what you want about the ills of Lebanon, but I say, Lebanon does not come with a screw on cap. Bottoms up, men.

Oh, and Ghassan, the Hama rules came to Lebanon with the Palestinians. Let us not forgot the phrase to live and die by: Lebanon will be the last to ever make peace with Israel. Welcome to Gaza.

[Charlie]

Fubar,

"Oh, and Ghassan, the Hama rules came to Lebanon with the Palestinians. Let us not forgot the phrase to live and die by: Lebanon will be the last to ever make peace with Israel. Welcome to Gaza."

Totally dude.. anyone remembers the riots in LA? That crap didn't stop till the National Guard was deployed. Lets not kid ourselves here, what Lebanon has is a whole a lot worse than the few gangbangers of south central. Let’s get real, the ISF is not going to fight mini wars all over the country to clean up the little security Islands that the big sister left for Lebanon over the years, this the army’s role and this army with this BS command ain’t gonna hack it.

[fubar]

Charlie,

Fars was kind of enough to point out yesterday that the Eisenhower pulled out of the Persian Gulf yesterday. Looks like a little repositioning as minesweepers moved into the Gulf, probably just for a continued show of presence. But speaking of presence, watch the Arab media to see if the Eisenhower moves into the Red Sea coming up to the Med. Meanwhile the Stennis continues to the Gulf.

And where is the Lincoln?

[fubar]

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) Carrier Strike Group (CSG), with more than 5,000 sailors, will surge deploy Jan. 27, while USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) undergoes scheduled maintenance in Yokosuka, Japan.

The Ronald Reagan CSG is deploying under the Navy's Fleet Response Plan (FRP) and will operate in the western Pacific in support of U.S. commitments in the region. FRP provides the U.S. with the ability to respond to any global commitment with flexible and sustainable forces and the ability to rapidly respond to a range of situations on short notice.

[Charlie]

Fubar,

Perhaps also to make room for the Stennis when it arrives, by the way when is the Stennis due to be there? Just having 2 Carriers in the same vicinity is big, we both know the amount of efforts that goes with deploying these ships, the DoD is not going there for show. By the way notice how Saudi didn’t apply any pressure on OPEC for cuts? We both speculated that was not going to happen and it didn’t. Iran knows it, and they unleashed Nas the last two days so they can deal...

[ghassan karam]

Please read this following short quote carefully:

"Fadi told us that the party (Hezbollah) pays $20 for those who attend the protest during the day and $50 for those who stay over night."

The above is a quote made by Arab tourists when they were on a visit to Solidere last week. If there is truth to the above, and I suspect that it is true, then how to the hell does HA and its allies get to speak about demonstrations, spontaniety or peoples rights. Shame on us for being willing to sell ourselves for $20. This is so damening and so shameful that it should be grounds for revoking citizenship and denying the right to vote. How can we possibly even consider the formation of a responsible democracy when its inhabitants, or to be fair a large segment of its residents, have no standards of ethics or morality. When one combines such events with the intentional burning of 12000 tires, the smashing of cars by hooligans and the refusal to respect the rights of others by a group that claims to be democratic then I cannot help but cry for that wretched place we call Lebanon. Has Lebanon become another personification of "Life Boat Ethics" , a case that is so hopeless that no efforts should be wasted on resolving its crisis, just let it drown in a storm of its makings. I am still hopeful that a civil human spirit will eventually become victorious by removing the dark shadow and influence of the exploiters of the masses. What we badly need is not another superficial solution but we need to save the patient through a radical surgery that could restore vigor to lead a civilized and prosperous existence. Who is to blame for this sorry state of affairs? Is it the hapless who need to sell themselves into a kind of slavery or is it the Master who is willing to exploit their weakness for his selfish goals? I dont know about you but I just cannot blame only those that have to resort to selling themselves, I have to lay the greater blame on the shoulders of the instigator and his masters. They are the vampires.

[fubar]

Charlie,

Stennis will not arrive till mid Feb. It is too early for Eisenhower to move out to make room. Also, the Enterprise Strike Group is currently operating in the northern Arabian Sea in support of maritime security operations and Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. Putting the Eisenhower in the northern Arabian creates the same problem. Can't be planning to stay there long.

As for the Saudi pricing plan, see...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16772560/from/ET/

Jeha and I have been discussing this on his blog.

[Charlie]

Ghassan,

This is Lebanon everything is for sale, nothing new and nothing to be surprised about. Till the children of Lebanon decide to grow up and realize selling their country is not an option no matter how hungry they are, then Lebanon will continue to periodically self destruct.

[Charlie]

Fubar,

Actually another big No-No the Iranians have committed was attempting to use Euro for oil trades. This is by the way something Hussein was doing under the table, and we both know how he ended up. Most people don’t realize the economical implications behind these actions so they tend to dismiss it. Attempting to sell oil in Euro by Iran is almost like declaring war on the US..

[fubar]

Ghassan,

First, old news, even the exact dollar amount.

Second, it does not happen often to me, but I am pained by the depth of your dispair and outrage. Reality sucks. Double in the ME. And triple in Persia.

This radical surgery you speak of...that is what is being attempted in Iraq. If you want to have any hope for Lebanon, get behind the war in Iraq. Only once a real functioning democracy is established somewhere in the ME will other countries begin to take the steps necessary to follow suit. It is not an easy surgery. It comes at a high cost, in blood and money. But those who have to pay that price are out there paying it willingly for the benefit of the Iraqis and, hopefully, the broader Middle East, and, God willing, Persia, which is really in the greatest interest of the US. You have such faith in humanity, yet you cannot grasp the real vision of true transformation. And you have not the stomach to even see others pay the price willingly.

As for the ultimate vampire, it may come as a surprise to you, but...

The US is in a state of war with Iran and has been since the Iran hostage crisis began in 1979. That was an act of war by Iran on the US. The US has no diplomatic relations with Iran to this day as a result of that act of war. No truce or peace agreement has ever been signed. This war has stayed cold only due to the restraint of the US. But that war can go hot whenever the US chooses and the US will be justified under international law - retaliation for an act of war on the US - there is no statute of limitations on the progress of a war. Most Iranians know this which is why Ahmadinejad is taking such heat right now for enflaming the US. This is a deadly serious game of chicken. And Ahmadinejad is using Hezbollah as a tool to tweak the US in Lebanon. Either get behind Lebanon's only team, Siniora, et al, or surrender to Iran.

So much for the goodness of humanity.

Charlie,

LOL. True, but like we need another reason to add to the pile of reasons.

And watch out for Russia, too. Russia will soon have to choose Iran (and to a lessor extent Syria) or to stand out of the way.

[naja]

Ghassan,

Your comments about vampires and, indeed, the mercenaries (for, after all, that's what they are) they employ, is spot on. In fact, if you want to understand Lebanese politics, you have to follow the trail of money. The strength of leaderships is measured by the amount of cash - or jobs! - they secure for their followers. That cash and positions are usually government money, which is why you find so many ex-ministers remaining popular long after their governments have gone. Ministers and MPs lavish large amounts, protect illegal endeavours etc. to make themselves "opinion leaders".

And, although the money comes usually from the state's coffers, for HA it's obviously a different story (4 billion halal dollars, anyone?). A strange exception to this seems to be the Aounists who, in my view, follow their leader with a fervour that is so akin to Hitler Youth that it is quite chilling (in fact, go back to the 1032 strike during the Weimar republic in Germany to find some really disturbing parallels to the current situation in Lebanon).

The Future Movement crowd works on a similar basis to the others, except that it helps its supporters get favourable positions in development projects, not to mention the fact that it holds the gratitude of a good 30,000 families whose children they helped educate through educational support loans and donations. Where FM has an additional advantage is that its largesse has not been confined to its community. Still, the whole thing boils down to "show me the money and I'll show you the support".

[naja]

Oops, I obviously meant the 1932 strike in Germany.

[Abi Lama]

The big deception act:

Le Libanais ne paient pas leurs impôts, certains ne paient pas même leurs factures d'électricité. La corruption est rampante et la plupart des politiciens sont juste trop occupés en remplissant leurs poches. S'il y avait confiance dans le comportement du gouvernement les libanais d'outre-mer, riche comme certains d'entre eux sont, pourrait acheter des obligations libanaises à l'étranger. Ils n'ont pas cette confiance. Pourquoi devrait alors la communauté internationale, ou les contribuables occidentaux payer la facture de manque d'organisation, corruption et d'incompétence ?
Dans l'entre-temps les pauvres Libanais passent leur temps en achetant des appartements à Paris et en allant aux magasins de luxe.

Il fut un certain temps déjà avant lguerre de juillet dernier que certains politiciens libanais émettaient l’idée qu’une conférence Paris III puisse être organisée. Le but de cette conférence était de procéder à une remise en état de l’économie libanaise lourdement handicapée par sa dette de plus de 41 milliards de dollars voir une 50ène de milliards en prenant en compte les dettes dues aux entrepreneurs, aux médecins, aux hôpitaux etc… et les dettes des offices autonomes dont l’EDL entre autre.

La dette s’est légèrement accentuée d’un milliard de dollars suite à la guerre de juillet dernier, mais cependant s’est accru aujourd’hui de plusieurs milliards de dollars, l’état prenant désormais en compte peut-être les dettes dues par ses offices autonomes désormais, dans un soucis d’une plus grande transparence vis-à-vis de la communauté internationale et des donateurs ou peut-être encore accentuer pour des raisons politiciennes le sentiments d’urgence à agir pour traiter ce problème.

[Amir in Tel Aviv]

Hassan is busy in Beirut, IDF pins in the south:

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/818251.html

Divine victory...? anyone??
.

[aboujahl]

It just amazes me how, being such a respectable and thoughtful blog, you can fall in the error of listing Ya Libnan link!!!!! Despite all appearances, this blog (Ya Libnan) has become a theater for the poisonous and deeply suspicious writings of the likes of the senile Robert Fisk who has long been fed and bred on the terrorist and anti-lebanon, anti-American liberation ideas of the PLO throughout his stay in Lebanon, for over 30 years...please wise-up...you cannot justify this link listing even on grounds of openness and fair-play. thank you