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Lebanon crisis defused, for now

Lebanon’s immediate crisis has been defused after Arab mediation forged an agreement staving off the danger of civil war between the western-backed government and Hezbollah. But the underlying deadlock remains.

Talks between the two sides are to continue in the Qatari capital Doha, with the ambitious aim of reaching a deal to end months of political paralysis.

Beirut airport, blockaded for a week, was being reopened last night after Sheikh Naim Qassim, deputy leader of the Iranian-backed Shia militia, pledged to return the situation “to normal”. Ordinary Lebanese expressed relief at the easing of tensions that brought reminders of a bloody past.

Agreement was reached after a climbdown on two issues by Fuad Siniora, Sunni Prime Minister. Last week he challenged Hezbollah by sacking the head of security at Beirut airport, allegedly a sympathiser, and calling its private communications network illegal. Hezbollah insisted its communications were a part of its ability to fight Israel. The government tried to save face by saying it was placing the two issues in the hands of the Lebanese Army, a neutral force which failed to intervene in last week’s clashes, with at least 80 dead and 250 injured in the worst internecine fighting since the 1975-90 civil war. “The government has wisely withdrawn the controversial decisions,” said Patrick Haenni of the International Crisis Group. — © Guardian Newspapers Limited, 2008

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