Hezbollah Has Resigned from the Lebanese Cabinet

Opposition leaders and party members of Hezbollah including Mr. Manar in Lebanon are set to resign after internal pressures set about what has been described as a 'major falling out' by some ministers.

Prime Minister Harari has been accused of bowing to pressure from the United States, and set in motion what looks to be a political coup.

Allegedly up to 11 members of the opposition have forwarded their resignations to the Lebanese Government, but what is not know is what exactly Harari has been accused of. It has been stated by internal sources to the Lebanese opposition parties that Harari could be mixed up in politics after the assassination of his father Rafiq al-Hariri, the former Lebanese prime minister back in 2005.

Iran is said to be keeping a close eye on the situation, which has pricked up the ears of Israeli Authorities and caused concern in America.

Israel has apparently placed their armed forces on standby in case the situation in Lebanon destabilizes. The Israeli army has been on a war footing recently after threats of rocket attacks came from Palestinian organizations loyal to Hezbollah.

*Update*

It has now been announced tha Hezbollah have withdrawn from the Lebanese Cabinet, after Prime Minister Saad al-Harari refuted to talk about a UN and STL investigation into his father's death.

Harari has been in Washington in the United States in discussions with President Obama, in which talks have been said to involve rhetoric that suggests Hezbollah had been involved in the assassination of Rafiq al-Hariri. An accusation that Hezbollah has sternly denied.

It was announced by Syria and Saudi Arabia on Tuesday (11^th January 2011) that their involvement in peace talks between the Lebanese Government and the Hezbollah members had failed. And since then the situation has slowly destabilized causing today's action by Hezbollah.

The UN has been heavily involved in negotiations between the two political powers in Lebanon, but has also been involved in many investigations in recent months with internal affairs within Lebanon a move that has caused high levels of distrust towards Prime Minister Saad al-Harari.

If Iran steps up support of Hezbollah it could see the region drawn into another conflict like that of 2009 in which hundreds of civilians fell victim to Hezbollah and Israeli rocket attacks, as Israel will not tolerate any Iranian interference.

Washington is said to have called for calm between Lebanon and Israel, with many other countries in the region such as Syria, Egypt and Saudi Arabia all voicing their concerns.

*Update 8:04 Pacific Time*

Authorities and political parties in Lebanon are calling the Lebanese Government a sham, stating that the Cabinet is now illegitimate.

It is now becoming a worrying situation within Lebanon as it seems the ruling Government is on the brink of total collapse. With the threat of an internal and external power struggle looming it is hoped that Iran does not get overly involved as this could be the tipping point that could see Israeli forces take action in the region.This story will update.

*Update 8:15 Pacific Time*

Concern is growing as to the state of the Lebanese Military if the Government of Lebanon collapses. It is already well know that the Military leaders have split opinions and loyalties within its ranks.

The fear is that if the Government cannot regain control of the situation that the already divided military could stage a coup, split further and cause bloodshed on the already tense streets of Lebanon.

The situation inside Lebanon seems to be very confusing, already people have started to gather in the streets chanting either disapproval or support for PM al-Harari.

*Update 8:29am Pacific Time*

With concern growing on the streets of Lebanon questions are already being asked of the what looks like a broken Lebanese Government.

Citizens are beginning to ask why they have still got a poor infrastructure in the Country, questions such as:

Why have we still no electricity in parts of the country?

When is the education system to be reformed?

Why is inflation so high?

The Israeli Government has so far not commented on the supposed fall of the Lebanese Government. Such a stance is being seen as keeping a close eye on the situation. Although internal sources within Israel suggest that Israeli Authorities are hopeful of a peaceful solution within Lebanon.

However if pushed Israel do seem poised to intervene with whatever means necessary it has been claimed.

*Update 10:15am Pacific*

PM al-Harari has left Washington USA early in a bid to try an salvage what he can from the demoralizing situation back home in Lebanon. On his journey back home it is thought that he will stop off in France for a meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

There has hardly been a word all at all from the Israeli Government, although there are reports that a meeting of leader from nations within the region will be held soon.

*Update 11:10am Pacific Time*

US President has backed PM al-Harari, he hopes that the Lebanese Government can reform and counter any leadership void, avoiding any internal power struggle and violence on the streets of the already suffering country.

Sources: The Portland Journal - International Affairs