the news in arabic

(From al-Nahar. 1975 was the first year of the Lebanese Civil War.)

(From al-Quds al-Arabi. Setting fire to a match-made cedar tree — a symbol of Lebanon.)

The above two cartoons reflect the prevailing sentiments in today’s coverage of the Lebanese political crisis — that the past few days have witnessed an escalation in the verbal, media battle between political leaders as well as a rise in tensions on the street.

Al-Jazeera takes note of an escalated “war of words” between the Opposition, led by Hezbullah and Michel Aoun, and the Loyalists (aka the “Majority”), with support from Sa’ad Hariri and Walid Junblatt. Some members of the Opposition fear that Loyalists will use the anniversary of the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri on February 14th to instigate a new civil war.

The most publicized remarks have come from Druze leader of al-hezb al-taqadami al-ishtiraki Walid Junblatt. He said to the Opposition: “You want chaos? (We) welcome chaos. You want war? (We) welcome war. There’s no problem with weapons…we’ll take the missiles from you.” In response to the comments, Hezbullah said that they wish to avoid any type of civil war.