Hezbollah, the Shiite Muslim party that took over sections of western Beirut for four days, said it would withdraw its forces because the Lebanese army gave in to a key demand to let it preserve its military communications. | They've got their way, Nasrallah's established supremacy. They can take over again the same way any time they want to. |
In a speech a few hours earlier, Siniora ordered the army to clear Beirut streets of gunmen loyal to Hezbollah and its allies. ``I call on the army to establish security for everyone in all areas and clear armed elements from the streets.'' The army made no immediate move to comply. Then, shortly after the speech, it issued a statement revoking the airport decision and saying it would look into the phone network.
Militia members from Hezbollah and its allies, armed with machine guns and wearing civilian clothing or fatigues, manned checkpoints on and around Hamra Street, a main commercial thoroughfare. Hezbollah, an ally of Iran and Syria, has been locked in a power struggle with Siniora, backed by the U.S. and its Arab allies, for 18 months. Hezbollah, which counts the Shiite group Amal and a Christian party in its bloc, is demanding a veto over government decisions.