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| image_size = 300px
| caption = Top to bottom, and left to right: A Lebanese Army [[M113 armoured personnel carrier]] in [[Beirut]], Future TV building in Beirut after getting arsoned, flag of the [[SSNP]] in a Beirut street, Destroyed car in Beirut, picture of armed fighters taken from the Crowne Plaza in Beirut.
| partof =
| date = May 7, 2008 – May 14, 2008 (main phase, sporadic clashes continued into July)
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* {{flagicon image|Flag of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party.svg}} [[Syrian Social Nationalist Party|SSNP]]
* {{flagicon image|Single_Color_Flag_-_0434B1.svg}} [[Arab Democratic Party (Lebanon)|Arab Democratic Party]]
| commander1 = {{flagicon image|14th_march.jpeg}} '''[[Saad Hariri]]'''<br />{{flagicon image|14th_march.jpeg}} [[Walid Jumblatt
| commander2 = {{flagicon image|InfoboxHez.PNG}} '''[[Hassan Nasrallah]]'''<br />{{flagicon image|Flag of the Amal Movement.svg}} [[Nabih Berri]]
| strength1 =
| strength2 =
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}}
The '''2008 Lebanon conflict''' (
The fighting between pro-government and opposition militias affiliated to respectively the [[Future Movement]] and [[Progressive Socialist Party|PSP]] political parties on one side and [[Hezbollah]], [[Amal Movement|Amal]], [[Syrian Social Nationalist Party|SSNP]], [[Lebanese Democratic Party|LDP]] and the [[Arab Democratic Party (Lebanon)|Arab Democratic Party]] on the other side, was sparked by a government move to shut down Hezbollah's telecommunication network and remove [[Beirut Airport]]'s head of security after the discovery of a hidden remote-controlled camera monitoring one of the airport's runway and his alleged ties to Hezbollah.<ref name=":192">{{Cite news|last=Blanford|first=Nicholas|date=2008-05-09|title=Hezbollah phone network spat sparks Beirut street war|work=Christian Science Monitor|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2008/0509/p05s01-wome.html|access-date=2020-05-10|issn=0882-7729}}</ref> Clashes first occurred on May 7 after a general strike called for by the country's union federation to demand higher wages and decry high consumer prices became overshadowed by the government's decisions and escalated into low-level violence between pro-government and opposition protesters. Violence severely escalated the next morning on May 8 after a televised speech by Hezbollah leader [[Hassan Nasrallah]]. In his speech, Nasrallah responded to the government's decision to declare the organization's telecommunication network illegal by calling it a declaration of war on the organization, shortly after which fighting between pro-government and opposition militias broke out in [[Beirut]].<ref name=":192" /> Within two days, Hezbollah-led opposition fighters had seized control of several West Beirut majority Sunni neighbourhoods from pro-government [[Future Movement]] militiamen.<ref name=":7">{{cite news|date=2008-05-09|title=Hezbollah takes over west Beirut|work=[[BBC
==Background==
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On December 1, 2006, a series of protests and [[sit-in]]s began in Lebanon, led by the [[March 8 Alliance|March 8]] political coalition which opposed the government of Prime Minister [[Fouad Siniora]]. Formed after the [[Cedar Revolution]] in 2005, the March 8 coalition was up of the Shiite [[Hezbollah]] and [[Amal Movement|Amal]], the Christian [[Free Patriotic Movement]] and a number of smaller parties such as the [[Syrian Social Nationalist Party|SSNP]], [[Lebanese Democratic Party|LDP]] and the [[Arab Democratic Party (Lebanon)|Arab Democratic Party]]. On the other side of the political divide stood the [[March 14 Alliance|March 14]] coalition, at the time holding the majority of cabinet and parliamentary seats. The March 14 coalition was made up of the primarily Sunni [[Future Movement]] and a number of smaller parties including the [[Druze]] [[Progressive Socialist Party]] and the Christian [[Lebanese Forces]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=Arsan|first=Andrew|title=Lebanon: a country in fragments.|publisher=C. Hurst & Co.|year=2018|isbn=978-1-78738-365-4|location=London|oclc=1127917942}}</ref>
At the core of commencement of the protests was the unhappiness of Hezbollah with the division of power under the current status quo and the pro-Western course of the Lebanese government.<ref name=":14">{{Cite book|last=Arsan|first=Andrew|title=Lebanon: a country in fragments|publisher=C. Hurst & Co.|year=2018|isbn=978-1-78738-365-4|location=London|pages=76–77|oclc=1127917942}}</ref> It argued that too much executive power was in the hands of the Future Movement, the primary political party of March 14, which it in their view misused by too closely
After Shi'a ministers of Hezbollah and Amal had resigned from the cabinet in December 2006 in protest against a decision concerning the Lebanon Tribunal, the opposition demanded the immediate resignation of the cabinet as it now was unbalanced with regard to the proportional representation of religious groups as stipulated by the [[Constitution of Lebanon|Lebanese Constitution]] and therefore was deemed illegitimate.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Arsan|first=Andrew|title=Lebanon : a country in fragments|publisher=C. Hurst & Co.|year=2018|isbn=978-1-78738-365-4|location=London|pages=77–78|oclc=1127917942}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2006-11-12|title=Hezbollah ministers quit cabinet|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6139730.stm|access-date=2020-05-01}}</ref> When Prime Minister Siniora refused to resign his cabinet, Hezbollah and its allies on March 8 called on its supporters in early December 2006 to protest against the perceived illegitimacy of the cabinet of Siniora to increase pressure on it.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Arsan|first=Andrew|title=Lebanon : a country in fragments|publisher=C. Hurst & Co.|year=2018|isbn=978-1-78738-365-4|location=London|pages=80–85|oclc=1127917942}}</ref> In the face of massive protests, Siniora and the remaining ministers in his cabinet still refused to step down as long as they enjoyed the support of the majority of the parliament.<ref name=":0" /> As protestors kept up the pressure on the government with their encampment near the [[Grand Serail]], the prime ministerial office in downtown Beirut, Siniora and his minister were under virtual house arrest due to security concerns since the assassination of [[Pierre Amine Gemayel|Pierre Gemayel]], one of Siniora's ministers, in late 2006.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news|last=Slackman|first=Michael|date=2006-11-22|title=Lebanon Official Critical of Syria Is Assassinated|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/22/world/middleeast/22lebanon.html|access-date=2020-05-10|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> With Siniora not giving in, the opposition organized a general strike in January 2007, which ended in [[Sectarianism|sectarian]] clashes leaving multiple dead and hundreds wounded.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news|date=2007-01-23|title=Strike plunges Lebanon into chaos|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6288503.stm|access-date=2020-05-10}}</ref><ref name=":21" /> Political deadlock took a new turn with the end of term of President [[Émile Lahoud]] in late 2007 as the March 8 and March 14 blocs could not agree on his successor, leaving the country in a presidential vacuum further worsening the political crisis.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2007-11-23|title=Lebanese presidency ends in chaos|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7110202.stm|access-date=2020-05-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Arsan|first=Andrew|title=Lebanon: a country in fragments|publisher=C. Hurst & Co.|year=2018|isbn=978-1-78738-365-4|location=London|pages=99|oclc=1127917942}}</ref>
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== May 2008 controversies==
{{History of Lebanon}}
In May 2008, the tensions between the pro-government and opposition parties escalated when the cabinet announced a series of security decisions. Tensions began with revelations on Friday May 2 made by [[Progressive Socialist Party]] leader [[Walid Jumblatt]], a key politician in the ruling March 14 alliance. He announced that a remote-controlled camera had been set up in a container park overlooking [[Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport|Beirut international airport's]] runway 17, which was frequently being used by March 14 politicians.<ref name=":11">{{Cite book|last=Arsan|first=Andrew|title=Lebanon : a country in fragments|publisher=C. Hurst & Co.|year=2018|isbn=978-1-78738-365-4|location=London|pages=91–92|oclc=1127917942}}</ref><ref name=":15">{{Cite web|title=Le chef du PSP révèle l'existence d'un réseau de télécommunications du Hezbollah reliant le Sud au Hermel Joumblatt met en garde contre une opération sécuritaire d'envergure visant la piste 17 de l'aéroport de Beyrouth|url=https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/589074/Le_chef_du_PSP_revele_l%2527existence_d%2527un_reseau_de_telecommunications_du_Hezbollah_reliant_le_Sud_au_HermelJoumblatt_met_en_garde_contre_une_operati.html|date=2008-05-03|website=L'Orient-Le Jour|language=fr|access-date=2020-03-14}}</ref> In March 14 circles, fear was that the monitoring could be used for a possible attack on its leaders, as Lebanon had faced a series of [[Lebanon bombings and assassinations (2004–present)|political
In its response to these allegations, the Lebanese cabinet announced that it regarded the telecommunication network and the monitoring system as a breach of law, undermining the state's sovereignty and the security of its citizens.<ref name=":11" /><ref name=":192" /> Therefore, it declared that the matter would be referred not only to the Lebanese judicial system, but also to the [[Arab League]] and the [[United Nations]].<ref name=":11" /><ref name=":192" /> In addition to infringing [[State Sovereignty|state sovereignty]], the network was regarded by the government as an infringement on public funds since it claimed that it competes with its own and used the Lebanese infrastructure.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} The cabinet announced that it would uproot the telecommunication network and
== Armed clashes ==
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Minutes after Nasrallah's speech, heavy street battles began between pro-government and opposition militias. Fighting erupted along [[Corniche Mazraa]], an avenue separating Shiite and Sunni areas, later spreading to the western, southern and eastern parts of Beirut where Sunni and Shiite neighborhoods overlapped.<ref name=":32">{{Cite web|title=Violence escalates between Sunni and Shia in Beirut|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/may/08/lebanon|date=2008-05-08|website=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=2020-04-30}}</ref> Combat was also heard near the office of Lebanon's Sunni religious leader - an ally of the government - and the palatial compound of the Hariri family in Koreitem was hit by [[Rocket-propelled grenade|RPG]] fire.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hezbollah 'seizes west Beirut'|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2008/05/20086150227804659.html|website=www.aljazeera.com|access-date=2020-05-01}}</ref><ref name=":32" /> More barricades were set up, closing major highways. Opposition militants eventually overran the positions of pro-government militias in West Beirut and burnt-down three pro-government offices. [[Saad Hariri]], leader of the Future Movement, quickly responded to the outbreak of violence, describing the events as a form of [[Fitna (word)|''fitna'']], criticizing the actions of Hezbollah as a threat to the unity of the country and calling on Nasrallah to stop the descendance towards civil war.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Saad Hariri speech on may 8 2008 - part 1|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlnNND5sGHg|date=9 May 2008|website=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Arsan|first=Andrew|title=Lebanon: a country in fragments|publisher=C. Hurst & Co.|year=2018|isbn=978-1-78738-365-4|location=London|pages=96|oclc=1127917942}}</ref> Faced with large-scale inter-communal violence erupting all over the city, the [[Lebanese Armed Forces]] decided not to intervene in the clashes for fear of sparking divisions in the army along [[Sectarianism|sectarian]] lines, as had happened during the civil war.<ref name="cnn_2008050822">{{cite news|date=2008-05-09|title=Gunbattles break out in Beirut|publisher=[[CNN]]|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/05/08/lebanon.hezbollah/index.html|url-status=live|access-date=2008-05-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509050136/http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/05/08/lebanon.hezbollah/index.html|archive-date=9 May 2008 <!--DASHBot-->}}</ref> Other factors that as to why the army did not act in line with the cabinet are, according to political scientist Aram Nerguizian, the apprehension among army commanders at how the cabinet chose to address the issue of Hezbollah's telecommunication network.<ref name=":182">{{Cite book|author=Salloukh, B.|author2=Barakat, R.|author3=Al-Habbal, J.|author4=Khattab, L.|author5=Mikaelian, S.|name-list-style=amp|title=Politics of sectarianism in postwar Lebanon|publisher=Pluto Press|year=2015|isbn=978-1-78371-342-4|location=London|pages=129|oclc=920654681}}</ref> Secondly, the perception among them that cabinet also did not sufficiently consult the army prior to their decision to dismiss Beirut's airport head of security.<ref name=":182" /> Thirdly, the presidential ambitions of Army Commander [[Michel Suleiman]] - who would indeed within two weeks become the country's next president - and his resulting need not to antagonize the March 8 coalition and its Syrian allies may also have influenced his decision not to intervene against Hezbollah according to Nerguizian.<ref name=":182" /> The army's decision to refrain from intervention did spark objections from within however. Some saw it as a "missed opportunity" for the army to "signal its objection to domestic military action by any of the country's competing political/sectarian forces."<ref name=":182" /> Around 120 Sunni officers later even offered their resignation as response to "the humiliation felt from the military's conduct during the militias' invasion of Beirut" as their resignation letter stated.<ref>{{Cite book|author=Salloukh, B.|author2=Barakat, R.|author3=Al-Habbal, J.|author4=Khattab, L.|author5=Mikaelian, S.|name-list-style=amp|title=Politics of sectarianism in postwar Lebanon|publisher=Pluto Press|year=2015|isbn=978-1-78371-342-4|location=London|pages=128|oclc=920654681}}</ref> All of the officers except one later repealed their resignation however.<ref name=":182" />
Fighting from the previous day lasted throughout the night and only stopped for a short time a little bit after dawn on May 9, 2008. However, fighting quickly resumed after the brief lull. Pro-government militias were however no match to the Hezbollah led opposition forces. All over West Beirut, pro-government militias had lost ground.<ref name=":52">{{Cite web|title=Hezbollah gunmen seize large areas of Beirut|url=
=== May 10 - May 12: Fighting spreads to Aley and the North===
[[File:Syria Social Nationalist Party Flags Beirut Lebanon 5-9-08.jpg|thumb|left|Flags of the [[Syrian Social Nationalist Party]] were raised as a victory during the unrest on May 9th, 2008.]]
As fighting in Beirut dwindled down, violence began to spread to other parts of the country, in particular the [[Aley District]] south of Beirut and the north of the country. In the evening of May 9 sporadic clashes erupted in [[Sidon]], where two civilians were killed; and in Bar Elias in the [[Bekaa Valley]] where a woman was killed. Also, eight people were killed near the town of [[Aley]] in clashes between government supporters and opponents. Seven people who were Hezbollah supporters were killed.<ref name="autogenerated12">{{cite news|title=Beirut streets 'calm' after clashes|publisher=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]]|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/2BB82CA0-4895-4454-8E29-7072B103E06C.htm|url-status=dead|access-date=2008-05-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510155231/http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/2BB82CA0-4895-4454-8E29-7072B103E06C.htm|archive-date=10 May 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Lebanon death toll up following northern clash|work=[[Ynet]]|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3541431,00.html|url-status=live|access-date=2008-05-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515223750/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0%2C7340%2CL-3541431%2C00.html|archive-date=15 May 2008}}</ref>
On May 10, 2008, a funeral procession was attacked by a shop-owner affiliated with the [[Amal Movement]], whose shop was previously burned down by Sunni militants, leaving six people dead.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}} An [[Associated Press]] photographer who witnessed the shooting said the attack came as a procession of 200 people headed toward a nearby cemetery to bury a 24-year-old pro-government supporter killed in previous fighting.<ref>{{cite news|title=Six killed during Beirut funeral: medics|publisher=[[France 24]]|url=http://www.france24.com/en/20080510-six-killed-during-beirut-funeral-medics|url-status=dead|access-date=2008-05-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510203646/http://www.france24.com/en/20080510-six-killed-during-beirut-funeral-medics|archive-date=May 10, 2008}}</ref> At least 14 people were killed in the town of [[Halba, Lebanon|Halba]], in the [[Akkar]] region of north Lebanon, as about 100 pro-Future Movement gunmen attacked an office of the [[SSNP]].<ref>{{cite news|date=2008-05-12|title=Aussie's death sparks Lebanon alert|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|url=https://www.smh.com.au/news/world/aussies-death-sparks-lebanon-alert/2008/05/12/1210444296256.html|url-status=live|access-date=30 July 2011 <!--DASHBot-->|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108100849/http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/aussies-death-sparks-lebanon-alert/2008/05/12/1210444296256.html|archive-date=8 November 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> 10 of the dead were SSNP members, three were government loyalists and one was an [[Australians|Australian]] citizen of Lebanese descent on vacation in Lebanon, who was trying to get information at the SSNP offices about evacuating from the city.<ref name="hawke22">{{cite web|title=Australian killed in Lebanon: DFAT|url=http://hawkesbury.yourguide.com.au/news/national/national/general/australian-killed-in-lebanon-dfat/768453.aspx|publisher=The Hawkesbury Gazette|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080802162738/http://hawkesbury.yourguide.com.au/news/national/national/general/australian-killed-in-lebanon-dfat/768453.aspx|archive-date=2008-08-02|access-date=2008-05-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Jackson|first=Andra|date=2008-05-12|title=Melbourne man killed in Lebanon 'was on holiday'|work=The Age|location=Melbourne|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/man-killed-in-lebanon-was-on-holiday/2008/05/12/1210444292099.html|url-status=live|access-date=30 July 2011 <!--DASHBot-->|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107021206/http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/man-killed-in-lebanon-was-on-holiday/2008/05/12/1210444292099.html|archive-date=7 November 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Day 5: Lebanese dare to hope worst is over|newspaper=[[Daily Star (Lebanon)]]|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=91930|url-status=live|access-date=2008-05-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517053917/http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=91930|archive-date=17 May 2008 <!--DASHBot-->}}</ref> The Australian father of four, Fadi Sheikh, reportedly had his hands and feet cut off.<ref>
Faced with the escalated situation as a result of the cabinet's decisions, Prime Minister Fouad Siniora announced on May 10 that the cabinet would handover the issue of telecommunication network to the army and, in addition, announced the reinstatement of the head of security of Beirut's international airport.<ref name="withdraw22">{{cite news|author=Yoav Stern|author-link=Yoav Stern|title=Hezbollah fighters retreat from Beirut after 37 die in clashes|newspaper=[[Haaretz]]|url=http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/981696.html|url-status=dead|access-date=2008-05-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512082543/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/981696.html|archive-date=12 May 2008|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=":262">{{Cite news|last=Stratton|first=Allegra|date=2008-05-10|title=Hizbullah agrees to pull its gunmen off Beirut streets|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/may/10/lebanon|access-date=2020-05-19|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Subsequently, the Lebanese army took a more active stance in the events and announced it had frozen the measures taken by the government and called for all armed militants to withdraw from the streets.<ref name=":262" /><ref name="France2422">{{cite web|title=Lebanese army revokes government decisions against Hezbollah|url=http://www.france24.com/en/20080510-lebanese-army-overturns-government-decisions-against-hezbollah-lebanon&navi=MONDE|publisher=[[France 24]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514104656/http://www.france24.com/en/20080510-lebanese-army-overturns-government-decisions-against-hezbollah-lebanon%26navi%3DMONDE|archive-date=2008-05-14|access-date=2008-05-11}}</ref> In response, Hezbollah announced that it would withdraw its fighters together with other opposition fighters from West Beirut in compliance with the Lebanese army's request, but that a civil disobedience campaign will continue until the group's political demands are met.<ref name="withdraw22" /><ref name=":262" /> The next day, Beirut was quiet as control of areas seized by the opposition was handed over to the Lebanese army. Many roads in the capital remained blockaded however, including the strategic airport road, as the opposition continued their campaign of civil disobedience.<ref name="BBC May 1122">{{cite news|title=Day 5: Lebanese dare to hope worst is over|newspaper=[[The Daily Star (Lebanon)]]|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=91930|url-status=live|access-date=2008-05-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517053917/http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=91930|archive-date=2008-05-17}}</ref>
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On May 9, heavy fighting broke out in [[Mount Lebanon]] between pro-government [[Progressive Socialist Party]] fighters and [[Hezbollah]]. The clashes started in [[Aytat]], near [[Kaifun]] and soon expanded to cover many spots in [[Mount Lebanon]] including the cities of [[Baisour]], [[Choueifat]] and [[Aley]]. Most of the fighting was concentrated on Hill 888. Fighting started when four Druze members of the [[Aley]] municipal police were kidnapped by Hezbollah.<ref name="bbs22"/> Soon after the news of the kidnapping spread, the mayor of Aley assembled a group of PSP fighters and went up to Hill 888. As they reached the hill they were attacked by Hezbollah gunmen who wounded a few of the PSP and municipality members. PSP members retaliated by killing 3 of the kidnappers. The incident developed into a significant armed clash.<ref>{{cite web|title=Saturday's live coverage of the war in Lebanon|url=http://www.yalibnan.com/site/archives/2008/05/_1415_governmen.php|publisher=[[Ya Libnan]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080612180619/http://yalibnan.com/site/archives/2008/05/_1415_governmen.php|archive-date=2008-06-12|access-date=2008-12-24}}</ref> Artillery and mortars were used for the first time during these battles. A ceasefire agreement was supposed to take place at 18:00 of the same day, but fighters from both sides continued to exchange fire.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} Negotiations were ongoing for the PSP members to give up the fight and surrender their positions to the Lebanese Army, but it never happened.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}}
The battles at Aley stopped for several hours, but the two sides clashed again in [[Barouk|Mount Barouk]] to the southeast shortly before midnight. [[Barouk|Barook]] separates the Druze heartland of [[Shouf]] from the mainly Shi'ite southern end of the Bekaa Valley. That night Hezbollah's fighters deployed from southern Beirut to the [[Qmatiye]] area tried to attack the hills near Aley but they were beaten back. After that Hezbollah tried to go on the offensive again and attacked their rival's positions. The Druze fighters had fought the Hezbollah militants from dug-in positions left over from the 1975–90 Civil War.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Nicholas Blanford/Qmatiyeh|date=2008-05-13|title=Hizballah's Toughest Foe in Lebanon|url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1756914,00.html?xid=feed-yahoo-full-world|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026070641/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1756914,00.html?xid=feed-yahoo-full-world|archive-date=2012-10-26|access-date=2008-12-24|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Druze used hunting guns, AK 47s and other machine guns, RPGs and allegedly even 23mm [[Anti-Aircraft Guns|anti-aircraft guns]] to blast at the advancing Hezbollah fighters.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Hizballah's Toughest Foe in Lebanon|url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20080514/wl_time/hizballahstoughestfoeinlebanon;_ylt=AsddSgiJhYKEuX94P5C38RPagGIB|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|archive-url=https://archive.today/20080531084646/http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20080514/wl_time/hizballahstoughestfoeinlebanon;_ylt=AsddSgiJhYKEuX94P5C38RPagGIB|archive-date=May 31, 2008|access-date=2008-05-14|url-status=dead}}</ref> Opposition forces bombarded the pro-government Druze area with artillery while ground forces attacked Druze positions using rockets and machine guns.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hezbollah-led forces take revolt to mountains above Beirut|publisher=[[CNN]]|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/05/11/lebanon.violence/index.html|access-date=2008-05-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514143633/http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/05/11/lebanon.violence/index.html|archive-date=2008-05-14}}</ref> By morning, the Druze fighters agreed to cease hostilities and several villages loyal to Lebanon's pro-government Druze leader Walid Jumblatt had been handed over to the army.<ref name="BBC May 1122"/> The kidnapped municipality police members were released by Hezbollah on May 12 in exchange of at least 30 Hezbollah members that were kidnapped by PSP in Mount Barook. Hezbollah were defeated.<ref>{{cite web|title=Monday's live coverage of the war in Lebanon|url=http://yalibnan.com/site/archives/2008/05/breaking_news_l_7.php|publisher=[[Ya Libnan]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616122527/http://yalibnan.com/site/archives/2008/05/breaking_news_l_7.php|archive-date=2008-06-16|access-date=2008-12-24}}</ref>
====Clashes in Hamra and Tripoli====
After a day of relative quiet in Beirut renewed gunfire was heard in the commercial area of Hamra in the western part of the city shortly after midnight on May 12. The fighting occurred near the home of Future Movement leader [[Saad al-Hariri]]. A two-man [[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] camera crew suffered injuries while trying to film the fighting and were evacuated by the Lebanese army.<ref name="fresh2">{{cite web|title=Fresh clashes in north Lebanon|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/9696FDD9-BE2C-4610-B5BB-D7FE88C2B003.htm|publisher=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512131108/http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/9696FDD9-BE2C-4610-B5BB-D7FE88C2B003.htm|archive-date=12 May 2008|access-date=2008-05-12}}</ref> Meanwhile, in Tripoli, clashes left one person dead and at least six others wounded.<ref name="fresh2" /> Now taking a proactive role in the events, the Army stated that if the clashes did not end by Tuesday May 13, it would intervene and use force if necessary to end the fighting.<ref name="deadline2">{{cite web|title=Lebanon army gives gunmen deadline to disarm|date=12 May 2008|url=http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2008/05/12/49725.html|publisher=[[Al Arabiya]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517143623/http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2008/05/12/49725.html|archive-date=2008-05-17|access-date=2008-05-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Worth|first=Robert F.|date=2008-05-13|title=Lebanese Army Says It Will Use Force to Quell Fighting|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/13/world/middleeast/13lebanon.html|access-date=2020-05-20|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The next days saw only limited and sporadic fighting.
== Resolution process ==
=== Arab League intervention ===
As fighting was spreading to other parts of Lebanon, the [[Arab League]], which had been involved as a mediator in Lebanese political crises since 2005, decided to intervene in Lebanon at an emergency meeting on May 11.<ref name=":
=== Doha Agreement ===
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=== Domestic reactions ===
Many March 14 leaders decried the events as a coup, pointed towards the Hezbollah's intricate relationship to the [[Iran]]ian government and assigned a role played in the events to the latter. Hani Hammoud, a senior adviser to Saad Hariri referred to the events as a "one-sided civil war" with the result that "Iran has taken over the country"<ref>{{Cite news|last=Blanford|first=Nicholas|date=2008-05-09|title=Uncertainty deepens in Lebanon as Hezbollah seizes control of west Beirut|work=Christian Science Monitor|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2008/0509/p25s23-wome.html|access-date=2020-05-18|issn=0882-7729}}</ref> Christian leaders [[Samir Geagea]] and [[Amine Gemayel]] also accused Hezbollah of staging a coup, with the former calling on moderate forces in the [[Arab world]] to intervene and asked the international community not to stand idly by.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web|title=Fighting spreads in Lebanon|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2008/05/20086150360859761.html|website=www.aljazeera.com|access-date=2020-05-05}}</ref><ref name="latimes.com">{{Cite web|title=In show of might, Hezbollah takes control of West Beirut|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-may-10-fg-lebanon10-story.html|date=2008-05-10|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-05}}</ref> A
[[Michel Aoun]], leader of the [[Free Patriotic Movement]] and a Hezbollah ally whose supporters did not participate in the fighting, spoke in more neutral terms, calling for the return for normality on the streets.<ref name=":9" />
=== International reactions ===
The [[Executive Office of the President of the United States|White House]] condemned Hezbollah's actions with a spokesman denouncing the organization as a "destabilizing force" which had turned "its arms against the Lebanese people and challenged Lebanon's security forces for control of the streets."<ref name="latimes.com"/><ref>{{Cite web|title=Hezbollah ends west Beirut takeover|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20080510-hezbollah-ends-west-beirut-takeover-lebanon-beirut-clashes|date=2008-05-10|website=France 24|language=en|access-date=2020-05-05}}</ref> In addition, [[United States Secretary of State|US Secretary of State]] [[Condoleezza Rice]] pronounced the continuing support by the US for the Lebanese government.<ref name=":
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince [[Saud bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud|Saud al-Faisal]] accused Iran of "backing what happened in Lebanon, a coup" and called for "all regional parties to respect the independence and sovereignty of Lebanon and to stop meddling in its affairs and inciting sectarian tensions". He further accused Hezbollah of taking "violent, offensive measures, which aim at an annihilation of people."<ref>{{cite news|last=Shihri|first=Abdullah|date=2008-05-13|title=Saudi Arabia criticizes Iran's Hezbollah support|newspaper=[[Boston Globe]]|url=https://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2008/05/13/saudi_arabia_criticizes_irans_hezbollah_support/|access-date=2008-05-30}}{{dead link|date=September 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> A
Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini has called on national unity among the Lebanese adding that the situation can be "managed through talks and consensus-building." Hosseini blamed the U.S. and Israel for the ongoing hostilities in Lebanon.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}
== Casualties ==
The exact total number of casualties as resulting from the fighting in May remains uncertain, but figures range from approximately 70 to 110 deaths. A [[United Nations|UN]] report published in June 2008 reports 69 fatalities, among which civilians, and more than 180 wounded.<ref>{{Cite web|title=REPORT OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 1701 (2006)|url=https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N08/399/80/pdf/N0839980.pdf?OpenElement|date=2006|website=documents.un.org|access-date=7 May 2020}}</ref> A Human Rights Watch Report from 2009 states a minimum of 71 deaths.<ref>{{Cite web|title=World Report 2009|url=https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/world_report_download/wr2009_web_1.pdf|date=2009|website=Human Rights Watch|page=486|access-date=19 May 2020}}{{Dead link|date=April 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In an article from September 2008 entailing a series of interviews on the events, Beatriz Martínez and Francesco Volpicella note that the official number of casualties up to 15 May is 80 deaths and more than 200 wounded.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Walking the tight wire: Conversations on the May 2008 Lebanese crisis|url=https://www.tni.org/files/Walking%20the%20tight%20wire_0.pdf|last1=Martínez|first1=Beatriz|last2=Volpicella|first2=Francesco|date=2008|website=tni.org|access-date=15 May 2020}}</ref>
==See also==
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[[Category:Wars involving Lebanon]]
[[Category:Wars involving Hezbollah]]
[[Category:Syrian Social Nationalist Party]]
[[Category:March 8 Alliance]]
[[Category:March 14 Alliance]]
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