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Lebanese Wary of a Rising Hizballah

(Washington Post)- Yellow Hizballah banners flutter throughout the hilltop villages of southern Lebanon and Hizballah-funded schools and hospitals serve thousands of the region's residents. But relations between Hizballah and many Lebanese are growing more strained by the day. A debate over the nature of Hizballah and its long-term goals in Lebanon has been reignited in the past few weeks, bringing pressure on the party to give up the arsenal that once made it a heroic symbol in the Arab world. Concerns over Hizballah's place in Lebanese society reemerged in August when party leaders backed a three-year term extension for President Emile Lahoud, a move pushed by the Syrian government. Syria and Iran are Hizballah's chief foreign patrons. Western diplomats and political analysts in Beirut estimated that Hizballah received $200 million a year from Iran.
2004-12-24 00:00:00
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