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May 9th, 2008
Posted: 03:05 PM ET
BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNN) — Hezbollah militias took control of Western Beirut on Friday, dealing a major blow to the U.S.-backed government in the worst sectarian violence since the end of the country’s civil war. “I think … it’s a coup,” said Walid Jumblatt, a Druze leader and part of the pro-government coalition. That coalition called the takeover an effort to “bring Syria back to Lebanon” and extend Iran’s reach to the Mediterranean. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice accused Hezbollah leaders of trying to “protect their state within a state.” Hezbollah leaders did not make public statements Friday. Some clashes were reported Friday, though not to the extent of the previous two days. Lebanese Internal Security Forces said 18 people have been killed and 61 wounded since the start of clashes on Wednesday. Late Thursday authorities were reporting 11 dead. |
 
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