Political crisis deepens in Lebanon

In a deepening crisis that has paralyzed Lebanese politics, the leader of Hezbollah urged his well-organized followers to prepare for mass protests aimed at toppling the US-backed government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora. The order by Hassan Nasrallah, issued in a speech on Nov. 18, was the latest in a test of wills between Hezbollah and a government that Nasrallah dismissed as more representative of the US ambassador than Siniora. Many in Lebanon see the struggle as a proxy battle involving the United States, Israel, Syria and Iran. "When the time comes, we have to be ready," said Nasrallah, whose group fought Israel this summer in a 34-day war. "We could call for demonstrations in 24 hours, 12 hours or six hours. We have to be ready in all cases." The crisis erupted in full force after two ministers from Hezbollah, three other Shiites and an allied politician resigned from Siniora's cabinet on Nov. 11 after talks broke down on granting Hezbollah and its allies greater representation, a move that would effectively give Hezbollah veto power over government decisions. Siniora has rejected all six resignations. But the lack of Shiite ministers has thrown into question the constitutional status of the cabinet in the country. The country's Syrian-backed president and parliament speaker, as well as Hezbollah and other allies, have said it was unconstitutional. In the speech, Nasrallah said the government faced two choices: either resign in favor of what he called a national unity government that would give a far greater voice to Hezbollah and its allies, or hold early parliamentary elections. If neither demand is met, he said, the movement would resort to demonstrations until "the illegitimate, unconstitutional government" fell. Nasrallah stressed that the protests, perhaps lasting days or even weeks, would remain peaceful. "We will not allow any clash," he said. The day after the ministers resigned, Nasrallah warned that the Lebanese government would soon collapse, accusing the US-backed cabinet of collaborating with Israel during this summer's conflict. "This government will go and there will soon be a new, clean government," Nasrallah told residents of Beirut's southern suburbs, who had gathered to discuss compensation for homes destroyed during the war. Nasrallah has demanded one third of the 24 cabinet seats, prompting some ministers to accuse Hezbollah of seeking veto rights to protect its ally Syria from prosecution by foiling efforts to establish a UN-sponsored tribunal to try those accused of assassinating the former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri in February 2005. A poll published last week by the Beirut Center for Research and Information suggests nearly 60 percent of Lebanese support the opposition, with 70 percent seeking the formation of a new national government.