May 11, 2008	Sunday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 5, 1429

BEIRUT, May 10: Hezbollah on Saturday began withdrawing gunmen from Beirut and handed control of the streets to the Lebanese army, after days of gunbattles with supporters of the US-backed government.

Hezbollah, a political group with a guerrilla army backed by Iran and Syria, said it was ending its armed presence in Beirut after the army overturned government measures against the group.

Hezbollah seized control of much of the city on Friday after fighters loyal to the group routed gunmen loyal to the anti-Damascus governing coalition.

The Hezbollah-led opposition said it would maintain a “civil disobedience” campaign until its demands were met, but gave no further details. Lebanon has been in political deadlock for 17 months over opposition demands for a greater say in government.

Four days of fighting which has killed 37 people erupted after the government said it was taking action against Hezbollah’s military communications network and sacked the head of security at Beirut airport, who is close to the group.

Hezbollah said the government had declared war by moving against the network, which played a crucial role in its 34-day war with Israel in 2006.

Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, whose legitimacy is disputed by the Hezbollah-led opposition, on Saturday handed responsibility for the moves against Hezbollah to the army, which has sought to avoid conflict with either side.

The army overturned them, saying it would handle the issue of the communications network in a way “that would not harm public interest and the security of the resistance”. —Reuters