Hizbullah vs the state: Lebanese army withdraws. How can we help?

According to Aljazeera, the Lebanese army is withdrawing troops from scenes of the clashes.

The army command earlier warned that that the current clashes will affect the unity of the army.

The Army Command called on all Lebanese citizens to exercise their wisdom and utmost caution at all levels. The absence of a popular sense of national responsibility limited the ability of the army to play a role in restoring Lebanon’s unity, the command continued.

The Orientation Directorate said the abandonment of dialogue was a clear departure from the formula of coexistence and created an atmosphere conducive to violence and confrontation. Popular discord also undermined the unity of the military establishment, it added.

Saad Hariri is expected to hold a press conference at 8pm Beirut time. 

No time for analysis. This is a war between the state and Hizbullah. There can be one winner.

When Israel attacked Lebanon, some of us pitched in to help the state. Our country is now being attacked by the Hizbullah terrorist organisation. If anyone has any ideas on how we, especially the ones residing abroad, can help win this fight, please speak now.

Comments

[Bad Vilbel]

I can't even begin to understand how the army's unity can be put above the well-being and security of the citizens and state.

This is literally like 1975. Put the Army back in their barracks and let the militias take over.

So much for Suleiman's assertions that the army will not tolerate anyone mess with security. Hah!

[Bad Vilbel]

Here's a random question...

Nothing's been heard from Aoun since yesterday. I wonder if his rabid Christian followers are still on-board with this civil war project, or if the latest events are bringing some much needed enlightenment to those guys.

Not that it matters THAT much anymore.

[Doha]

Okay, news saying that it's getting worse around Dar al Fatwah.

Geagea on Voix du Liban is pushing for a declaration of a state of emergency because any delay in doing so is bringing the country closer to a terrible reality.

I can't believe that heavy artillery is being used now in the Beirut street clashes.

[Doha]

Okay guys, please tell me if that doesn't make your head burst: Voix du Liban reported that two have died in Beirut, a woman and her son from the Beydoun family. They sustained wounds in their heads.

[Bad Vilbel]

State of Emergency should've been declared yesterday.

I have to wonder though what the point of a state of emergency is going to be if the Army is going to refuse to intervene. They need to be the ones enforcing said state of emergency.

[Battal Agha]

Oulak I really fail to understand the logic of the Army. So now that it is needed, it is hiding in its barracks?? Why? Because the command is afraid to give the iorder to clean the mess?? What kind of an army is this? it is rather 3askar Zannouba... What a pity!! So it is up to the civilians to take the matter into their own hands and carve back the country.

[foxbat]

My only advice:

Praise the Lord and pass the ammo.

[Solomon2]

If you wish the world to help you in a fight against Hezbollah, you must do so as noisily and boldly as possible. Those in Lebanon can shoot video of their confrontations; those in Western countries can form groups and have press conferences to appeal to Lebanese to follow different leaders and foreigners for assistance.

That's the easy part.

The difficult part is, what are you going to do to get sufficient people and power on your side in the first place? You don't have arms. Do you have money? Or, like Abraham Lincoln in his Emancipation Proclamation, are you willing to shed a time-honored but outdated cultural institution to save the remainder, and thus gather men, arms, and governments to your cause by moral appeal?

[Stuck Visitor]

Hello again guys,

I am stuck here in Lebanon after I arrived on Tuesday. I did not step foot in this place for 10 years.

I am now at some family 5 minutes away from Dar al Fatwa and could hear the shooting and RPG explosions. I also confirm the army left the area with their APCs. Some people are asking the army's help on some internet forums I was visiting and wondering why did they leave.

The situation is really pathetic. I planned to surprise my family and I came un-announced on Tuesday for one week. Looks like I chose the wrong week!

In the mean time things seem to have calmed down around here as I write this, except for some sporadic gun fire here and there. I can't beleieve the government hasn't declared martial law yet.

I am also trying to find a way out, now that the airport is closed. Is there any boat service between Lebanon and Cyprus? Or will they use the airport in Kleyat? Any tips or ideas on how to leave this place would be appreciated.

In the mean time, those outside, thank your lucky stars and pray for the good Lebanese people stuck in this mess due to their retarded compatriots.

Peace out.

[Bad Vilbel]

Hariri is being an idiot, again...

And why pray tell is he the one talking? Where is our PRIME MINISTER?

[Jeha]

Let us hope this stays "a war between the state and Hizbullah". Bad as this one is, it could be worse.

[Bad Vilbel]

Jeha,

It's not a war between the state and HA. If it was, then it would the army fighting HA.

As it were, it's a war between Sunnis and Shias. Simple as that.

[Doha]

Guys, Hariri is basically asking the Army to implement the Cabinet's decisions, that General Sleiman should be elected President and that he should oversee a resumption to national dialogue. Marial law????

He said that they knew of Hizbullah communications network, but that they maintained around 30,000 private lines, but it was impossible to accept when they learned that Hizbullah has about 99,000 lines for their private use.

He asked Nasrallah why it is a silly affair to be angered at a surveillance camera positioned over a sensitive area in the airport jeopardizing the country's security, but it's not silly if a surveillance camera is spotted for instance next to Nasrallah's home jeopardizing Hizbullah's security.

Anyways, he said that no matter how much Nasrallah says that they're not for a Sunni-Shiite conflict, in fact on the streets of Beirut what we're witnessing is outright Sunni-Shiite battles.

[Doha]

Okay, now Aoun is on. What an idiot!!!! It's the government's fault for everything (of course, typical Aoun). He's also miraculously calling for dialogue too. What dialogue guys???? Aren't we sick of these empty dialogue promises???? Is it going to be dialogue with Hizbullah's guns pointed at our heads (and a condition for Aoun to be President?) BS!!!!

[Bad Vilbel]

Aoun is confirming how much of a moron he is.

The biggest thing to note as far as he's concerned, is that NO ONE in the Christian neighborhoods is taking up with HA.

[Doha]

Even Voix du Liban didn't even broadcast live his press conference. Read this: Aoun said that if foreign powers declared support for the government that would prove that the government is collaborating with foreigners. What an idiot!!!! What kind of warped logic is this? It's a type of logic that appeals to retards. He needs some classes in logic.

[Bad Vilbel]

Yeah. This isn't the first time we've heard that flawed logic of his. Can't say I'm ever surprised by his inane comments. He really makes ZERO sense. Which is why I still don't understand how he ever had such a following. I guess it says something about how stupid people can be, to put aside simple logic so they can follow someone.

[Jay]

What do you guys make out of Nasa's declaration "I am the state". We've all debated the possible intentions of HA and where they're heading, though could this just be a slip of the tongue?!

I doubt it though, I think HA got caught by the sudden events inside Lebanon, Jumblatt's escalations and the govt. decision, and outside Lebanon such as the assassination of their leading terrorist and Syria's flirting with Israel.

[Ace]

The Prime Minister and Council of Ministers must declare a State of Emergency and IF General Suleiman will not lead the Army ... replace him immediately with someone who will.

[Vox P.]

Aoun is finished forget about him. This country is heading for partition, and that's a good thing.

[hh]

I have it from VERY well-informed sources that the government wanted to declare a state of emergency (that's why Murr went to Suleiman directly after the meeting of ministers) but Sulieman refused to implement it!

[Lover]

'Khabar 3ajil' on the new Future News TV channel. It goes like this: "The Future party accuses Hezbollah and Amal of being liers". Straight after the announcement, another khabar 3ajil came up, this time saying the following: "the future party refutes of having in it's possetion any arms".

Party is over guys, after all we have seen on TV and heard from all credible sources of being otherwise, it turns out that this is actually a 'misunderstanding', a shiite-shiite friendly-fire incident between the armed Hezbollah and Amal militants. :D

[Ace]

If Suleiman refuses to follow the orders of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers - he has made his decision to side with Hezbollah to take over Lebanon ...... OR, he is a complete coward.

He must be replaced -- Hezbollah will not stop this takeover ...... they can't stop it, they have made their move and the end-game was always pointing to this. What options did they ever have? They could not lose the fight for control of Lebanon, especially after their
Divine Victory over Israel.

Failure to control Lebanon was never an option and so it was only a matter of time once they drew the red line in the sand.

God save you all.