Fears of new civil war increase as Lebanese political factions rearm

February 5, 2007
Fears of new civil war increase as Lebanese political factions rearm

Gun sales in Lebanon have tripled since the current standoff between the government and the
Hizbullah-led opposition began, prompting concern that political factions are rearming.

The increased presence of gunmen on the streets of the capital, Beirut, and reports of fighters
loyal to the Sunni-dominated government being trained overseas has heightened fears of a return to
civil war, which ravaged Lebanon from 1975 to 1990. Gunfights last month, some involving the army, left six civilians dead and more than 150 wounded.

"There is a reappearance of arms in the hands of almost every political group; we are sitting
on a powder keg, tension is increasing every day," said a prominent security analyst. "They don't
know what they are doing, they are going to destroy this country."