05/15/2008
A Lebanese minister said on Wednesday the Cabinet had reversed measures against the Shiite militant group Hezbollah, measure which had triggered the worst violence since the country's 15-year civil war.
Hezbollah had demanded the government reverse the decisions last week to sack an airport security chief for alleged ties to the Shiite group, and to declare the militants' private telephone network illegal.
On Wednesday, Lebanese Information Minister, Ghazi Aridi, told reporters: "The Cabinet agreed on the proposal... which stipulates the cancellation of the two decisions."
Aridi added the Cabinet revoked the decisions "in view of the higher national interest."
Shortly after the announcement, celebratory gunfire erupted in the south of Beirut, a Hezbollah stronghold.
On 6 May, Lebanon's Cabinet had decided to remove Beirut airport's security chief over alleged ties to Hezbollah.
It also declared a telecommunications network used by Hezbollah for military purposes was illegal and a danger to state security.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said the moves amounted to a "declaration of war" and shortly after, he unleashed his fighters on the streets of Beirut.
The clashes left 54 dead.
Political divisions have paralyzed Lebanon, which has been without a president since November.
Shiite-Sunni tensions have led to sporadic street violence.
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