For 17 months, Lebanon has had a political crisis arising from disputes between the government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, who is backed by the West and Saudi Arabia and the Hezbollah-led opposition supported by Iran and Syria.
The government has declared its intention to act against a private telephone network operated by Hezbollah in south Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut which which had as its primary function communication between Hezbollah members during the war with Israel in 2006.
The government has accused the militant group of placing several spy cameras on a road outside the airport to monitor pro-government officials.
Supporters of Hezbollah are now trying to enforce a general strike called by labor unions.
