Hezbollah on Saturday began withdrawing gunmen from Beirut and handed control of the streets to the Lebanese army, after the army revoked government moves against the Shiite group that sparked days of deadly fighting. “The opposition welcomes the army's decision and will proceed with the withdrawal of all its armed elements so that control of the capital is handed over to the military,” an opposition statement said. The announcement came shortly after the army said it was overturning a government decision to reassign the head of Beirut airport security and to probe a communications network set up by Hezbollah. The army urged all armed militants off the streets in a bid to end the violence which also forced the closure of Lebanon's only civilian airport and Beirut port. The Hezbollah-led opposition said it would maintain a “civil disobedience” campaign until all of its demands were met. That would include barricades on major roads, a senior opposition source told Reuters. Hezbollah took over much of Beirut on Friday after fighters loyal to the group routed gunmen loyal to the anti-Damascus governing coalition. Two soldiers and 17 gunmen died in clashes on Saturday east of Beirut and in north Lebanon. In the deadliest incident, security sources said at least 12 gunmen died when pro-government fighters stormed an office of a pro-Syrian opposition group in the village of Halba in north Lebanon. Two people were killed in the capital when shots were fired at the funeral of a government supporter. At least 100 people have been wounded in recent days. Hezbollah also blamed Druze leader Walid Jumblatt for the death of at least two of its members in Aley, east of Beirut. Four days of fighting which killed 37 people erupted after the government said it was taking action against Hezbollah's military communications network and sacked the head of security at Beirut airport, who is close to the group. The White House welcomed Saturday's lessening of violence in Lebanon but warned that “our concerns regarding Hezbollah are unchanged.” Saudi Arabia and Egypt called for an Arab foreign ministers' meeting on Sunday. Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, on Saturday handed responsibility for the moves against Hezbollah to the army, which has sought to avoid conflict with either side. Lebanon has been in political deadlock for 18 months over opposition demands for a greater say in government.
