[familyop]

Some of you probably know bits and pieces of what’s going on. But the more amenable Arab nations have been trying to talk Syria into compromising on the Lebanese presidential stand-off. Some buildup of military positions sponsored by Syria and Iran has also been noted.

[maquiladora]

BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) — Hezbollah on Friday rejected the deployment of U.S. warships off Lebanon, calling it a threat to the country that will not affect the militant group.

"We are facing an American threat against Lebanon," Hezbollah legislator Hassan Fadlallah said. "It is clear this threat and intimidation will not affect us."

[Cindy]

Thank you familyop for the ping and post.

[familyop]

Hizballah continued building up its units in South Lebanon since the last round with Israel, BTW. Also, after the recent assassination of Imad Mughniyah (who was behind the bombing of our Marines in ‘83 in Lebanon), Syrian leaders and other Hizballah elements have issued threats.

IMO, the Navy movement is intended to be a demonstration without fire for the purpose of stability in Lebanon. The group will probably be there for at least a whole tour—maybe longer.

[familyop]

I forgot to copy comment #35 to you all. You might find some of these links to be interesting, too.

Also, see "Lebanon" and after in this story (eighth paragraph under "Iraq visit is a first," Chicago Tribune).

...and more.

Lebanon divisions threaten Arab League chief Mussa's new mission (Middle East News, Monsters and Critics).

I don't know whether or not you've heard about the rockets fired into Israel lately, but it may be part of a calculated escalation by more than Hamas.

Israel Concerned About Another Hizballah Build-up Along Border (CNSNews.com)

Peoples court condemns Israel for war crimes in Lebanon (Workers World commie publication - communists helping Hizballah in Lebanon)

Excerpt from commie piece re. 2006:
"The Lebanese resistance—2,000 fighters led by Hezbollah but joined by other patriotic forces like the Communist Party—inflicted heavy casualties on the most powerful army in the region. Instead of wiping out the popular armed struggle, the Israelis were driven out."

Hezbollah Reject US Ships Off Lebanon (AP)